2 Euros 2nd map

Ireland adopted the euro at the start of 2002, retiring the punt after 79 years. The "2nd map" reverse — introduced across all eurozone states in 2007 — replaced the original design that had shown only the fifteen pre-2004-enlargement member states, an omission that became increasingly awkward as ten new countries joined in 2004. The updated geographic rendering extended the map eastward to include the full expanded union.

Irish 2-euro pieces from certain years carry notably low mintage figures relative to other eurozone members, a function of limited domestic vending and transit infrastructure demands rather than any deliberate scarcity policy.