New national side of euro coins intended for circulation
(2021/C 470/05)
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 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 100th anniversary of the constitution of the Belgium-Luxembourg Economic Union (BLEU)
Description of the design: It was a customs union and a currency union with the aim of strengthening cooperation and integration between the two countries. The union started with a first period of 50 years that was signed on 25 July 1921. Several new protocols were subsequently signed since the start of the BLEU in order to maintain it for a longer period of time. The latest protocol was signed between the two countries on 18 December 2002.
The national side of the coin features the effigy of the Belgian King Philip I and that of Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg. In addition, both countries are depicted, with the mention of the Economic Union, and the years 1921 and 2021. As the Royal Dutch Mint will strike the coins, the mintmark of Utrecht, a mercury staff is located on the bottom together with the Belgian mint director mintmark, the coat of arms of the municipality Herzele. It also contains the initials LL, referring to the designer of the coin, Mr. Luc Luycx. The coin’s outer ring depicts the 12 stars of the European flag.
Number of coins to be issued: 155 000 coins
Date of issue: Summer 2021
(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).