The coins are made of a steel core plated with copper. They have a diameter of 21.25 mm, a 1.67 mm thickness and a mass of 3.92 grams. All coins have a common obverse side and country-specific national reverse.
The present common design displays "Europe's place in the world", bordered by North Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The fifteen then-European Union member states are highlighted but this was not considered prominent enough to warrant a change in design when the non-copper coins were redesigned in 2007 to reflect the post-2004 enlargements. This side also shows a large figure 5 and the words "euro cent", twelve stars are also displayed in two groups along the edge.
Due to the costs associated with the production of low value coins, the Commission and some member states have proposed that its national side be standardised across the Eurozone to reduce the cost of its production.
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