Belgian euro coins

Belgian euro coins feature only a single design for all eight coins: the portrait or effigy of King Albert II of the Belgians and his royal monogram. Also part of the design by Jan Alfons Keustermans are the 12 stars of the EU and the year of imprint.

Belgian euro design

For images of the common side and a detailed description of the coins, see euro coins.

In Belgium, the euro was introduced in 2002. However, the first sets of coins were minted, as preparation, in 1999. Hence the first euro coins of Belgium have minted the year 1999 instead of 2002.

First series (2002–2007)

Belgian euro coins dated 1999–2007 have the portrait of King Albert II.

Coin image box 8 singles
header = Depiction of Belgian euro coinage | Obverse side
column_1_width = 151
column_2_width = 167
column_3_width = 157
denom_1 = € 0.01
denom_2 = € 0.02
denom_3 = € 0.05
image_1 =
image_2 =
image_3 =
row_1_caption = Effigy and monogram of King Albert II
denom_4 = € 0.10
denom_5 = € 0.20
denom_6 = € 0.50
image_4 =
image_5 =
image_6 =
row_2_caption = Effigy and monogram of King Albert II
denom_7 = € 1.00
denom_8 = € 2.00
header_9 = € 2 Coin Edge
box_9 = for a total of 12 stars
image_7 =
image_8 =
row_3_caption = Effigy and monogram of King Albert II

econd series (2008–present)

In order to conform to the common guidelines on the design of national faces of coins, Belgium has updated the design of the Belgian national face of euro coins to be produced from 2008. Coins from previous years featuring the old Belgian national face will remain valid.

The changes are:
*The coin's inner section shows an effigy of King Albert II in profile facing to the left.
*To the right of this, the royal monogram is displayed and, below it, the indication of the country ‘BE’.
*Underneath the effigy, the signature mark of the Master of the Mint is displayed on the left and the mint mark on the right, either side of the year.
*The outer ring of the coin depicts the twelve stars of the European flag.

As from 2008, the Belgian euro coins also adopted the new common map like the rest of the eurozone countries, some of which adopt it in 2007. A proportion of the Belgian 2 euro coins -common part, the map looks smooth, whereas, the same map on the euros coming from other eurozone countries is dotted.

Belgium is the second state in the EMU, after Finland, to change the design of their standard circulation euro coins in accordance with recommendations defined by the Economic and Financial Affairs Council of the European Union. [ cite journal | title=Oj 2005/ L 186/1 | journal=Official Journal of the European Union|date=18 July 2005 | url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2005/l_186/l_18620050718en00010002.pdf ]

Coin image box 8 singles
header = Depiction of Belgian euro coinage | Obverse side
column_1_width = 151
column_2_width = 167
column_3_width = 157
denom_1 = € 0.01
denom_2 = € 0.02
denom_3 = € 0.05
image_1 =
image_2 =
image_3 =
row_1_caption = Effigy and monogram of King Albert II
denom_4 = € 0.10
denom_5 = € 0.20
denom_6 = € 0.50
image_4 =
image_5 =
image_6 =
row_2_caption = Effigy and monogram of King Albert II
denom_7 = € 1.00
denom_8 = € 2.00
header_9 = € 2 Coin Edge
box_9 = for a total of 12 stars
image_7 =
image_8 =
row_3_caption = Effigy and monogram of King Albert II

Circulating Mintage quantities

Belgian proof set

Each year the Royal Belgian Mint issues a limited edition of its Euro coins in proof quality.

€2 commemorative coins

Other commemorative coins (Collectors' coins)

Belgium has a good collection of euro commemorative coins, solely in silver and gold. Their face value range from 10 euro to 100 euro. This is mainly done as a legacy of old national practice of minting gold and silver coins. These coins are not really intended to be used as means of payment, so generally they do not circulate. Here you can find some samples:

References

External links

* [http://www.ecb.int/bc/euro/coins/html/be.en.html European Central Bank – Information about the Belgian euro coins]
* [http://www.nbb.be Nationale Bank van België / Banque Nationale de Belgique (National Bank of Belgium)]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/theeuro/files/files.nat/belgium.s01.htm The Euro Information Website – Belgium – Series 1]
* [http://www.ibiblio.org/theeuro/files/files.nat/belgium.s02.htm The Euro Information Website – Belgium – Series 2]
* [http://www.euro-auflagen.de/index.php?lang=en Mintage Quantities]