New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

(2018/C 155/02)

Euro coins intended for circulation have legal tender status throughout the euro area. For the purpose of informing the public and all parties who handle the coins, the Commission publishes a description of the designs of all new coins (1). In accordance with the Council conclusions of 10 February 2009 (2), euro-area Member States and countries that have concluded a monetary agreement with the European Union providing for the issuance of euro coins are authorised to issue commemorative euro coins intended for circulation, provided that certain conditions are met, one of these being that only the 2-euro denomination is used. These coins have the same technical characteristics as other 2-euro coins, but their national face features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.

Issuing country : Belgium

Subject of commemoration : The 50th anniversary of May 1968 events in Belgium

Description of the design : The design represents students with a pamphlet and flag in their hands and refers to student demonstrations that took place in Belgium in connection with the sociocultural changes of May 1968. It was an important national event that shaped Belgium’s national politics and influenced subsequent Government reforms, now 50 years ago.

The mintmark of Utrecht (the Mercury’s wand) is located on the left together with the Belgian mint master mark (the coat of arms of the municipality Herzele). The year mark 2018 and the country code BE are located at the left as well, just like the initials LL of the designer of the coin, Mr Luc Luycx.

An auditorium marks the back, which is a reference to students.

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

Number of coins to be issued : 260 000 coins

Date of issue : May/June 2018

(1)  See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1 for the national faces of all the coins issued in 2002.

(2)  See the conclusions of the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of 10 February 2009 and the Commission Recommendation of 19 December 2008 on common guidelines for the national sides and the issuance of euro coins intended for circulation (OJ L 9, 14.1.2009, p. 52).