New national side of euro coins intended for circulation

2011/C 57/06

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) on this subject, the Member States of the euro area and countries that have concluded a monetary agreement with the Community providing for the issuance 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: 100th anniversary of International Woman's day

Description of the design: The obverse of the coin displays the effigy of Isala Van Diest, the first Belgian woman doctor, and Marie Popelin, the first Belgian woman lawyer. The names are written under the effigies and around the year ‘2011’, and are crowned with the symbol of the corresponding profession. Above the effigies, to the left and right respectively of the indication of the issuing country, ‘BE’, the mark of the mint master and the mint mark are shown.

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

Number of coins to be issued: 5 million

Date of issue: March 2011

(1)  For the other national sides of euro circulation coins, see http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/euro/cash/coins/index_en.htm

(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).