To mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the European Monetary Institute (EMI), the Royal Mint of Belgium decided to mint a commemorative coin of two euros bearing the effigy of its first president, Baron Alexandre Lamfalussy. The coin was officially unveiled on May 9, 2019 -Europe Day- in the presence of Finance Minister […]
2488! This is how many medals there are to win for athletes, over all disciplines, during the Olympic Games. The medals, commonly made of gold, silver or bronze, are the most sustainable ones in the Games’ history.
Friday August 5th, 2016 – 04:23 PM
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Posted in News
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Also tagged 2 euro commemorative coin, America, bronze, coins, euro, gold, medal, money, Royal Mint of Belgium, silver
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Since 1 January 2002, Belgium has been using a common currency now shared by eighteen other countries: the euro. The historical event marked by that date is an integral part of the history of European integration. It is thanks to the will of a few forward-looking statesmen from different countries with visions of peace and unity that the idea of a European Union could be taken forward to actually become a reality and ultimately lead to the single currency. In this month’s “Spotlight”, we take a closer look at Belgian figureheads who have played key roles – to a greater or lesser extent – in both the process of European integration and the establishment of the euro.
Tuesday September 1st, 2015 – 10:18 AM
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Posted in Object of the month
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Also tagged Alexandre Lamfalussy, ECU, euro, euro area, Europe, European Union, Leo Tindemans, Luc Luycx, Paul-Henri Spaak, Royal Mint of Belgium
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In 1869, nearly 20 years after its foundation, the National Bank of Belgium first saw big-themed bank notes roll off the presses. Their recognition value to the general populace and the level of detail put in by their creators quickly turned these drawings into a key weapon in combating forgery. The iconography also had a symbolic, nation-building purpose, and in Belgium its allegories and images typically captured the aspirations and successes of the nation state. This ‘In the Spotlight’ provides a snapshot of the way in which the National Bank has portrayed the fatherland on its franc banknotes over time.
In 2013, the museum uploaded his entire collection of Belgian emergency banknotes and coins from the First World War. Recently, it has been completed with some new acquisitions from Ghent, Sint-Jans-Molenbeek and Zingem.
According to tradition, 2 February is Candlemas Day, a festival widely celebrated in Belgium. What connection can there be between a Museum on the subject of money and pancakes? Quite simply, the traditions relating to money. This month’s object focuses on the various traditions and folklores surrounding the use of money.
Nowadays, it is the design that makes up the best part of our paper money. But what exactly is hidden behind the design of banknotes? On the basis of what criteria were artists or graphic designers selected and what did their work involve? Let’s try and find some answers to these questions in this Object of the Month…
Thinking of the Belgian franc, one would most probably remember a banknote bearing the portrait of Magritte or Mercator. These historic characters acted as ambassadors for Belgium. Women were never in the running when it came to selecting people to feature on Belgian banknotes.
This edition of ‘Spotlight’ describes what happened to the National Bank during the Great War.
Royalty are the only Belgians to have been honoured by being depicted on a coin or banknote during their lifetime, so it is high time we took a close look at the royal portrait in this edition of ‘Spotlight’.
