1253) City of Bruges (or Brugge), Belgium: 20 Years as UNESCO World Heritage Site: A 20 Euro Silver Proof Coin issued by the Royal Dutch Mint under licencing of the Royal Belgian Mint, on behalf of the National Bank of Belgium: Coin issue date: 26.02.2020:
ON 26.02.2020, the National Bank of Belgium has issued commemorative coins celebrating 20 years of the City of Bruges being named by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as a World Heritage Site.
The Reverse of the 20 Euro Silver Coin placed against a stylised image of the Belfry
The designation as a World Heritage Site as an international landmark is part of the United Nations recognition of having cultural, historical, scientific, or other forms of significance, which is legally protected by international treaties.
On 20.11.2000, UNESCO recognised the City of Bruges as the 855th World Heritage Site highlighting the city as an outstanding example of a medieval historic settlement, maintaining its historic fabric. As one of the commercial and cultural capitals of Europe, Bruges developed cultural links to different parts of the world and is closely associated with the school of Flemish Primitive painting.
Still an active, thriving city today, Bruges has preserved the architectural and urban structures which document the different phases of its development, including the central Market Place with its belfry, the Beguinage de Bruges, as well as, the hospitals, the religious and commercial complexes and the historic urban environment.
Says the book titled "Treasures of the World" (a UNESCO Publication) in my personal library:
"Brugge (Brugges) is an outstanding example of a medieval settlement that has maintained its historic fabric as it evolved over the centuries, and where original Gothic constructions form a part of the town's identity. As one of Europe's commercial and cultural capitals, Brugge developed cultural links to different parts of the world. It is closely associated with the school of Flemish Primitive painting.
Archeological excavations show evidence of human presence in the area of Brugge from the Iron Age and the Gallo-Roman period. It was the military and administrative centre of the region and commercial links with Scandinavia started at that time. The name of Brugge is first mentioned in the ninth century and is documented in Carolingian coins bearing the name Bruggia. At this time it was part of a defence system againt the Normans, and the first fortification existed in 852 at the site of the present-day Bourg. The settlement developed gradually and it became a harbour and commercial centre, with Europeanconnections.
The Brugge fair was established in 1200 and contacts with Britain were the first to develop, particularly in the wool trade. The city's growing prosperity was reflected in the construction of public buildings such as the imposing Belfry in the Grand Place, and Brugge was quickly established as an economic capital of Europe. Under Philippe le Bon (1419-67), the Duke of Burgundy, who set up his court in Brugge, the city became a centre of court life, of Flemish art, of miniature painting and printing. Owing to the presence of Italians it soon became a centre of humanism and the Renaissance.
From the late fifteenth century Brugge gradually entered a period of stagnation. The Flemish regions were integrated into the Hapsburg Empire, and the discovery of America displaced economic interests from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. However, from 1600 to 1800, as a result of the construction of canal systems, Brugge re-established its maritime connection, albeit at a modest level.
From 1815 to 1830 Brugge was part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands and since 1830 has been part of Belgium. During the nineteenth century a colony of English aristocrats influenced the cultural life of the city and contributed to a renewed interest in the artistic heritage of Brugge and the restoration of historic buildings."
The Commemorative Silver coin:
The Royal Dutch Mint has brought out these coins at their facilities in Utrecht, under licencing of the Royal Belgian Mint, on behalf of the National Bank of Belgium.
On the Reverse of the 20 Euro Silver Proof Coin shows the official logo engraved on the primary design and includes a stylised image of the majestic Belfry of Brugge located in the City centre, which is one of the City's most prominent symbols and landmarks.
The inscription on the left half of the coin reads - '20 YEARS HISTORICAL BRUGES".
On the Obverse of the 20 Euro Silver Proof Coin is seen a European Union (EU) Map, partially encircled with the words "BELGIE - BELGIQUE - BELGIEN", representing the three official languages of Belgium.
The specifications of this Silver Coin are:
Denomination: 20 Euro; Metal Composition: .925 Silver; Weight: 22.8 grams; Diameter/Size:37.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Maximum Mintage: 2,500 pieces; Minted by: The Royal Dutch Mint, under licensing from the Royal Belgian Mint; On Behalf Of: The National Bank of Belgium; Year: 2020; Coin Designer: Luc Luycx.
For other interesting posts on issues from the Royal Dutch Mint, Netherlands and PostNL, please visit the following links:
8) Butterflies and Moths of Netherlands: A set of 10 Postage stamps brought out by PostNL on 11.06.2019 under its ongoing Postage Stamp Series titled "Experience Nature "
9) "De Haar Castle", Utrecht, Netherlands: The first Coin to be released in the "Dutch Castles" Coin Series: A silver ducat Trade Coin with a history spanning over 350 years, minted by the Royal Dutch Mint: Date/Year of Delivery: 04/2020
Posts from Belgium & Luxembourg:
4) Pentagons in Nature, Belgium: "Geometry in Nature Series": Third Postage Stamp issue in the series commenced in 2018: Stamp set issue date: 27.01.2020
5) City of Bruges (or Brugge), Belgium: 20Years as UNENCO World Heritage Site: A 20 Euro Silver Proof Coin issued by the Royakl Dutch Mint under licencing of the Royal Belgian Mint, on behalf of the National Bank of Belgium: Coin issue date: 26.02.2020
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