2020 numismatic program of Belgium – World Money Fair
Updated the 10/03/2020
Numismag took part to the World Money Fair in Berlin and on the first day of the fair, reserved for professionals, we interviewed Belgian Mint which provided us with additional informations on the numismatic program 2020.
Concerning the €2 commemorative coins, Belgium will issue a first coin, for which NUMISMAG presented the visual a few months ago. This coin is dedicated to the International Year of Plants under the aegis of the UN and more particularly the FAO. An official ceremony to present the coin to the public will take place in March-April 2020.
The following mintages are planned: 150,000 coin in BU quality and 5,000 coins in proof quality.
Additional mintage for circulation
In addition to these two versions, 600,000 additional coins have been added at the insistence of the Belgian Ministry of Public Health. This institution wanted the belgian population to be able to see this coin in circulation, in order to make them aware of this issue.
These coins will be put into circulation by the Bank of Belgium at the end of the year or at the beginning of 2021. The KNM (dutch mint) is still in charge of minting Belgian euros until 2021, the end of this first contract.
This additional mintage of coins for circulation is also made possible because the stock of €2 coins in Belgium is in very sharp decline. The Royal Belgian Mint has in fact retroceded a large part of the €2 coins in stock to other countries that had needs for their own national cash circulation.
The remaining stock of €2 coins held by the Mint would cover the 2 years needs of the Belgian cash payment system.
Cash pooling (for 1 and 2 cent coins)
The Royal Belgian Mint and Mrs. Van Herzele (Monnaie royale de Belgique's CEO) also confirm the desire of the European Union member countries to share stocks with other European countries. The Central Bank of Belgium and the Royal Belgian Mint have proceeded in the same way with regard to stocks of 1 and 2 cent coins.
Mrs Van Herzele added that the latest Eurobarometer survey showed that 70% of the Belgian population agreed with the abolition of the 1 and 2 cent coins.
Van Eyck 2-euro coin
The second €2 commemorative coin is dedicated to the painter Van Eyck, as part of the European "Europa star" programme, dedicated this year to Gothic art. The coin will be issued in October 2020.
The series will be complemented by a €10 silver coin and a gold coin with a face value of €50. The €2 coin will be issued in 5,000 proof (boxed), 150,000 BU coins in coincards and 5,000 silver and 1,000 gold coins (€10 and €50 coins).
A coin will be dedicated to the Olympic Games and more specificaly to the Belgian team which will defend the colours of its country on this occasion. But due to COVID19 pandemy, the coin is delayed in 2021 (with 2021 yearmark).
A 75 years after the end of the war, with a face value of 2-1/2€ coin, is also forcast. We don't know yet if this issue is planned to be part of combined set dedicated to peace in Europe, planned between 5 or 6 coutries including France, the Netherlands and Canada.
For 2019 circulation coins, the mint confirm no change in announced mintages for circulation coins.
2020 circulation coins – the number of circulation coins needed, according to the needs of the Belgian cash system as assessed by the Bank of Belgium, has not yet been communicated to the Royal Mint of Belgium.
2020 Issuing calendar
BU World Money Fair – "Belgian fries" – mintage: 500 coins
20€ BRUGES – 20 years of the historical center of the city – 2500 coins – Silver proof -UNECSO WORLD HERITAGE
€2 international year of the plant (150 000 BU – 5000 BE and 600 000 UNC coins for circulation)
2020 €2 proof coin
5€ Belgian team for the Olympic Games – two versions: a version with an accentuated relief and another version in colour – Mintage of both versions: 12,500 coins
( delayed in 2021, with 2021 yearmark, due to COVID19 pandemy)
5€ 75 years of the "Bob and Bobette" comic book – two versions: a version with an accentuated relief and a version in colour – mintage of both versions: 12,500 coins
2-1/2€ 100 years of the Antwerp Olympic Games (1920-2020) – BU in coincard two versions in relief and color – 50,000 coins
5€ 185 years of the first train in continental Europe – BE in silver – 5 000 coins
12-1/2€ 150th birthday Jane BRIGODE – GOLDEN BE – mintage: 2 500 coins
benelux set – mintage: 5 000 coins sets
FDC set ANTWERP – BU 15 000 sets
10€ 500th anniversary Christoffel Plantijn BE silver – 3000 coins
2€ Jan Van Eyck: 150 000 BU coins and 5 000 proof coins
€10 silver proof 5 000 coins
1 000 €50 gold proof coins
An additionnal proof set conteining the three face values "J. VAN EYCK" has been issued with a very low mintage of 250 coinboxes.
Proof set – 1,000 sets
Sources: Belgian Royal Mint and NUMISMAG.