The design shows the Köln cathedral in its entirety, as a masterpiece of the Gothic architecture, emphasizing the beauty of the south portal.

The name NORDRHEIN-WESTFALEN, just below the building, links the pictured building with the state.

The mint mark, represented by the letter A, D, F, G or J, is located in the right upper core region, the initials of the artist, Heinz Hoyer, in the right central core area.

The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European Union flag.

Between the stars, at the bottom, the year ‘2011’ and at the top the indication of the issuing country reference ‘D’.