Belgium’s Defiant 2.5 Euro Waterloo Coin: A Collector’s Item
Belgium has minted a distinctive €2.50 coin to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Napoleon’s defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, a move that came after France initially blocked the release of a €2 coin with the same commemorative purpose. This unusual denomination highlights both Belgium’s determination to mark a significant historical event and the complexities of European unity in the face of historical sensitivities.
France had expressed strong objections earlier in the year to Belgium issuing a €2 coin celebrating the defeat of Napoleon, the French emperor. Paris argued that such a coin could provoke unfavorable reactions and create unnecessary tensions, particularly given the current fragile state of European unity. Despite Belgium having already minted approximately 180,000 of the €2 coins, they were ultimately forced to scrap them following formal protests from France.
Undeterred, Belgium found a creative solution by utilizing a European Union rule that permits member states to issue coins of irregular denominations unilaterally. This loophole allowed them to proceed with their commemorative plan, resulting in the creation of the €2.50 coin. This denomination is not standard within the eurozone, making it immediately stand out and further emphasizing its special commemorative nature.
The Battle of Waterloo, fought on June 18, 1815, on what are now the outskirts of Brussels, was a pivotal moment in European history. It marked the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte, whose ambitions to dominate Europe were crushed by the allied forces led by the Duke of Wellington and Gebhard von Blücher. For Belgium, the battlefield’s location on its territory gives the event a particular national resonance.
According to Belgian Finance Minister Johan Van Overtveldt, the issuance of the €2.50 coin is not intended to reignite old animosities with France. He emphasized that the focus should be on contemporary European challenges, stating, “The goal is not to revive old quarrels. In a modern Europe, there are more important things to sort out.” However, he also underscored the historical significance of Waterloo, asserting, “But there’s been no battle in recent history as important as Waterloo, or indeed one that captures the imagination in the same way.”
The newly minted €2.50 coins, limited to 70,000 pieces, are legal tender in Belgium, meaning they can be used for everyday transactions in Belgian shops. However, their unique denomination and commemorative design are expected to primarily attract coin collectors. These special coins are being sold in distinctive plastic bags, priced at €6 each, further enhancing their appeal to numismatists and those interested in historical memorabilia. The coin’s design features the Lion’s Mound, a prominent monument erected on the Waterloo battlefield, along with symbolic lines representing the troop positions during the historic battle. In addition to the €2.50 coin, Belgium is also releasing a silver €10 coin, with a face value of €10 but sold at €40, further catering to serious coin collectors and commemorating this bicentennial event.