The national sides, then 15 (eurozone and Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican who could mint their own), were each designed according to national competitions, though to specifications which applied to all coins such as the requirement of including twelve stars (see euro coins for more). National designs were not allowed to change until the end of 2008, unless a monarch (whose portrait usually appears on the coins) died or abdicated.
The national sides, comprising 15 countries (including those in the Eurozone and Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City who could mint their own), were designed based on national competitions, with common specifications for all coins, such as the requirement of including twelve stars (see euro coins for more). National designs remained unchanged until the end of 2008, except when a monarch (whose portrait typically appears on the coins) died or abdicated.