2018-09-06 Thu

Belgium would be releasing a circulating commemorative €2 coin in October to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the European satellite - ESRO 2B’s launch. The astrophysical spin-stabilised research satellite was launched on 6th March 1968 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California to detect X-rays from nonsolar sources.

The satellite is named after the European Space Research Organisation that was responsible for the successful execution of this project. It is also called IRIS, which stands for International Radiation Investigation Satellite.

The coin’s obverse features the satellite orbiting the Earth. Other inscriptions include the dates 1968 and 2018, along with names ESRO 2B and IRIS. The reverse design depicts a map of the European Union.

The outer copper-aluminium-nickel ring of the ringed-bimetallic coin with a copper-nickel core features 12 stars of the European flag. The 8.5 grams coin has a diameter of 25.75 millimetres.

Image Courtesy: Belgium Mint