Belgium 2 Euro Base Metals Proof Coin 2024 - EU Presidency

For Sale:
Belgium 2 Euro Base Metals Proof Coin 2024 - Presidency of the Council of the EU

Sellers Note:
This coin is of Proof Quality, also known as BE (Belle Épreuve) or PP (Polierte Platte / Polished Proof).
Proof coins are struck twice with specially prepared dies, which are typically polished between strikes.
This process produces exceptional sharpness and a highly reflective finish.
While Proof coins share the same design as their uncirculated counterparts, they are fundamentally different: the relief is higher, the fields are smoother and more mirror-like, and the overall design appears more prominent and refined.
Not every collector of €2 commemorative coins seeks out the Proof versions—often produced in much lower mintages—but I believe every €2 commemorative coin collection deserves at least one Proof example.
Even a single coin offers an excellent point of comparison, if not for the differneces in the commemorative reverse then for the study of the common obverse.

Country: Belgium
Face Value: 2 Euro
Theme: Presidency of the Council of the EU
Composition: Base Metals
Quality: Proof
Year: 2024
Weight: 8.5 g
Mintage: 5,000
Coin Shape: Circular
Diameter: 25.75 mm
Edge: Reeded
Edge Inscription: Lettering
Packaging: Official Box and Capsule
Condition: See images
Certificate: Yes
Mint: Royal Belgian Mint
Designer: Iris Bruijns

Shipping Options
Only charge An Post rates (rounded up to nearest Euro)
(Will combine shipping):
* Standard Post (Ireland): €5
* Registered Post (Ireland): €10
* Collection (Bray): Free

Payment Options:
* Bank Transfer.
* PayPal.
* Revolut (Preferred).
* Cash.

Description:
EU presidency
From January 1 to June 30, 2024, Belgium will be president of the Council of the European Union.
The presidency is awarded alternately to one Member State for six months. However, to ensure the continuity of the long European legislative process, successive presidents work together for 18 months in so-called 'Trios'.
Our country has therefore been discussing for some time with Spain - the current chairman - and Hungary, which is next in line.
Belgium will focus on current themes such as safety, social policy, the green transition and economic growth.

Because the Belgian presidency comes at the end of a Commission legislature, our country also wants to lay a solid foundation for the EU's strategic agenda for the period 2024-2029.
In this way it can help chart the major directions that the EU will take in the near future.

A euro coin from Belgium for the EU!
Belgium will hold sway over the EU Council for the first half of 2024.
To appropriately celebrate this, the Royal Mint of Belgium has released a particularly original 2 euro coin that reflects the natural form of leadership.

At the bottom left the text 'BELGIAN PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EU 2024'.
In the center of the coin, 27 swallows (27 member states) swarm around the country designation BE.
The swallow moves together and flies in one group behind the tractor.
Swallows are helpful, industrious and loyal. Left: 'IB' the initials of designer Iris Bruijns, below the mint master's mark (an
Erlenmeyer flask with aster) and the mint mark of the Royal Dutch Mint (the Mercurius staff).