Belgian euro coins feature only a single design for all eight coins: the portrait or effigy of the incumbent King of the Belgians. Previously, all Belgian euros depicted King Albert II of the Belgians and his royal monogram. Current coins depict King Philippe. Also part of the design by Jan Alfons Keustermans are the 12 stars of the EU and the year of imprint.
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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 are marked 1999, not 2002.
First series (1999–2007)
Belgian euro coins dated 1999–2007 have the portrait of King Albert II.
Second series (2008)
In order to conform to the common guidelines on the design of national faces of coins, Belgium 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 remain valid.
The changes are:
As from 2007, the Belgian euro coins also adopted the new common map like the rest of the eurozone countries. 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, from 2008 on, 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.
Amendment (2009-2013)
The 2008 portrait did not comply with previous decisions by the ECOFIN in 2005 and 2008. Therefore, an amendment was made, which reverted to the portrait of Albert II found in the 2002 series. Mint marks, year and stars remain the same. Some collectors consider this as a third series but since unlike all series it was not published in the official journal of the European Union, it is actually an amendment and not a new series.
Third series (2014-present)
Following the coronation of King Philippe after the abdication of Albert II, new distinctive sides were added depicting the new monarch.
Coins with the new obverse were struck from 4 February 2014. The obverses were designed by Luc Luycx.
Circulating mintage quantities
The following table shows the mintage quantity for all Belgian euro coins, per denomination, per year (the numbers are represented in millions).
Belgian proof set
Each year the Royal Belgian Mint issues a limited edition of its euro coins in proof quality.
Other commemorative coins (collectors' coins)
Belgium has a good collection of euro commemorative coins, solely in silver and gold. Their face values range from 10 euros to 100 euros. 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.