Belgian eurocoins vary yearly from 2006-2010

[a3v1]

From 1999-2006 Belgian eurocoins had the King's portrait by Jan Alfons Keustermans.
In 2007 Belgian Eurocoins had the same portrait; but also the new European side.
In 2008 Belgian Eurocoins had a new King's portrait, by Luc Luyckx.
In 2009 Belgian Eurocoins will be having the old portrait again; but now with the monogram and date in the field and not in the edge (as in 2008).
In 2010 the Belgian Mint will be closed and the coins will be minted elsewhere, so other mintmarks are to be expected.
Which makes five different types in five years.
Regards,
a3v1

[Miguel.mateo]

Just wondering where did you hear about the change in 2009?  Any picture?

Thanks,
Miguel

[a3v1]

Just wondering where did you hear about the change in 2009?  Any picture?

@ Miguel,
From my source within the Belgian Mint. Remember that I also was the first who reported that the Belgian Mint will close in 2010. No pictures yet.
Regards,
a3v1

[Miguel.mateo]

My collection of Belgian coins keep growing ...

[Figleaf]

I didn't even realize there was a different portrait by Luc Luyckx. Could you post one, so I can see the difference?

BTW, Dutch euro coins had three different mintmaster marks in as many years once.

Peter

[Miguel.mateo]

Check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgian_euro_coins to see the difference between the first and the second series. And yes Dutch and French variations are the majority in my collection due to the change in the mint marks or the master mark.

Thanks,
Miguel

[a3v1]

More about the subject:
In 2008 the Belgians tried to comply with the new European regulations regarding eurocoins. That is why an indication of the country of origin (BE) was inserted, and both the date and the royal monogram were moved from the edge to the field. But they also introduced a new royal portrait and this was "a bridge too far" to the European financial institutions. Another regulation still rules that such a thing is acceptable only if another monarch comes to power.
So the Belgians have been corrected about this.
Thus, their 2009 coins will be showing all the alterations made in 2008, except for the new royal portrait. The old portrait of 1999-2007 will be used again.
Regards,
a3v1

[translateltd]

But they also introduced a new royal portrait and this was "a bridge too far" to the European financial institutions. Another regulation still rules that such a thing is acceptable only if another monarch comes to power.

Another piece of highly useful European legislation!  What would the poor bureaucrats make of the habit of allowing long-lived monarchs to age, as has been done for centuries?  Would they still insist that Queen Elizabeth II look 26 years old on her coins to ensure "compliance"?  Or should Alfonso XIII have remained a baby for ever? :-)

Madness ...

[BC Numismatics]

Martin,
  I agree with you there.The idea of European bureaucrats interfering in what is really an internal matter for a member state has the potential to backfire on them.

If the Belgians do decide to change the portrait of their King on their Euro coins,then it should be up to the Belgians themselves,not to a group of unelected bureaucrats hiding away up in an office in the 'European Parliament'.

Aidan.

[a3v1]

If the Belgians do decide to change the portrait of their King on their Euro coins,then it should be up to the Belgians themselves,not to a group of unelected bureaucrats hiding away up in an office in the 'European Parliament'.

@ Aidan,
By joining the EU (Belgium even was one of the founding member states) Belgium agreed to apply the EU rules, and they even were part in outlining these rules.
There was a six year moratorum on the designs of the eurocoins. If the Belgians only had waited until 2009, they could have changed the design and no one could have objected.
Regards,
a3v1

[Miguel.mateo]

I think we all understand that, but as a consequence now Belgium will have a third series of the coins instead of just two.  And who knows, maybe in 2010 the new design will come back if they are allowed to change it.

Thanks,
Miguel 

[chrisild]

I agree with you there.The idea of European bureaucrats interfering in what is really an internal matter for a member state has the potential to backfire on them.

Belgium could have opted out, just like Denmark and the UK did. They did not. Sure, the EU has some flaws, but I don't find it that hard to understand that, if you join a club, you play by its rules.

If the Belgians do decide to change the portrait of their King on their Euro coins,then it should be up to the Belgians themselves,not to a group of unelected bureaucrats hiding away up in an office in the 'European Parliament'.

Uh-oh. First, I do not know what is the reason for the Belgian Mint's decision to use the Keustermans portrait again. Do you? And what makes you believe that this was an EU "decision"?

And yes, of course the member states of the euro area may, in the case of monarchies, modify the portrait of the head of state. This is explicitly mentioned here for example: http://ec.europa.eu/economy_finance/publications/publication5994_en.pdf

"Member States should refrain from changing the national side of their euro circulation coins until the end of 2008, except when the Head of State who is depicted on a coin changes (...) This refers to both the case where the appearance of the Head of State depicted on a coin changes, and the case where the Head of State changes."

By the way, the members of the European Parliament are elected by the people. The EP does still not have as many competences as most national parliaments in the EU (and "thanks" to the Irish that won't change ). Now administration bureaucrats are usually not elected indeed. Applies to Belgium, applies to Germany, applies to the EU ...

Christian

[chrisild]

What would the poor bureaucrats make of the habit of allowing long-lived monarchs to age, as has been done for centuries?  Would they still insist that Queen Elizabeth II look 26 years old on her coins to ensure "compliance"?  Or should Alfonso XIII have remained a baby for ever? :-)

Madness ...

See my previous post. Of course the appearance of a king/queen/etc. on a euro coin can be modified. As for 2010, somewhere else I read that the decision to close the Brussels mint is not final yet. Oh well, that's Belgium ...

Christian

[Bimat]

Which of these Belgian coins(from 2006-2009) are struck for circulation and which coins exist only in BU sets?

Aditya

[UK Decimal +]

I know very little about euro coins, but often refer to The Euro Information Website and from there use the menu on the left.   The various country pages give mintage figures, etc.   I hope that the site is reliable.

Bill.