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2 Euros Paul Keres
| Issuer | Eesti Pank |
|---|---|
| Year | 2016 |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | 8.5 g |
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| Obverse description | The inner disc features a right-facing portrait bust of Estonian chess grandmaster Paul Keres rendered in high relief, occupying the right portion of the field. To the left of the portrait, the stylised blue, black, and white cross motif of the Estonian national flag is depicted in relief. The legend 'PAUL KERES' arcs across the upper field, while 'EESTI' and the date '2016' are inscribed vertically beneath the flag emblem. Along the lower edge of the inner disc, a row of chess piece silhouettes — including pawns, a bishop, and a knight — is displayed as a decorative motif referencing Keres's legacy. The outer ring bears the twelve stars of the European Union. |
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| Edge | Lettered |
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| Additional information |
Paul Keres was arguably the strongest chess player never to win the World Championship — a title he came agonizingly close to four consecutive times between 1948 and 1965. Estonian by birth, he spent his peak years under Soviet occupation, and many historians believe Soviet authorities deliberately arranged tournament pairings and conditions to prevent an Estonian from claiming the title. Whether true or not, the suspicion has never fully dissolved.
Estonia issued this coin on the centenary of his birth. Keres remains the only chess player to appear on a euro circulation coin.