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1. Collector coins shall have the status of legal tender only in the issuing Member State. The identity of the issuing Member State shall be clearly and easily recognisable on the coin.

2. In order to be easily differentiated from circulation coins, collector coins shall meet all of the following criteria:

(a) their face value must be different from the face values of circulation coins;

(b) their images must not be similar to the common sides of circulation coins, and if their images are similar to any national side of circulation coins, their overall appearance can still be easily differentiated;

(c) their colour, diameter and weight must differ significantly from circulation coins for at least two of these three characteristics; the difference shall be regarded as significant if the values including tolerances are outside the tolerance ranges fixed for circulation coins; and (d) they must not have a shaped edge with fine scallops or a ‘Spanish flower’ shape.

3. Collector coins may be put on the market at or above face value.

4. The issuances of collector coins shall be accounted for on an aggregated basis in the volume of coin issuance to be approved by the European Central Bank.

5. Member States shall take all appropriate measures to discourage the use of collector coins as a means of payment.