New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

2010/C 137/12

National side of the new commemorative 2-euro coin intended for circulation and issued by Belgium

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), the Member States of the euro area and countries that have concluded a monetary agreement with the Community providing for the issuing of euro coins are allowed to issue commemorative euro coins intended for circulation, provided that certain conditions are met, particularly that only the 2-euro denomination is used. These coins have the same technical characteristics as other 2-euro coins, but their national side features a commemorative design that is highly symbolic in national or European terms.

Issuing country: Belgium

Subject of commemoration: Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2010

Description of the design: The inner part of the coin features the commemorative logo, that is, the stylised letters ‘EU’ and ‘trio.be’. Above the design is the inscription ‘BELGIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EU 2010’ and, below it, the trilingual indication ‘BELGIE BELGIQUE BELGIEN’. Underneath the logo, the mint mark is displayed to the left of the year 2010 and the mint master’s mark to the right.

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

Number of coins to be issued: 5 million

Date of issue: June 2010

(1)  See OJ C 373, 28.12.2001, p. 1, for the national sides 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).