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Friday 12 March 2021

1734) BEER Fest/Culture recognised by UNESCO in Belgium: 5th Anniversary Celebrations (2016-2021): Brass 2.5 Euro Collector Coins issued to commemorate Belgian Beer Culture as "Intangible Heritage": Date of Coin issue: 25.02.2021:

 1734) BEER Fest/Culture recognised by UNESCO in Belgium: 5th Anniversary Celebrations (2016-2021): Brass 2.5 Euro Collector Coins issued to commemorate Belgian Beer Culture as "Intangible Heritage": Date of Coin issue: 25.02.2021:

Belgium marks the fifth anniversary of the nation’s Beer culture being recognized by UNESCO with a 2021 brass €2.5 coin.

The Royal Belgian Mint (Herdenkingsmunten.be) has issued on 25.02.2021,  new collector coins highlighting one of the country’s most familiar and tangible exports in terms of revenue and popularity — "BEER". 

Besides tangible heritage such as monuments, landmarks, and natural formations, intangible heritage such as cultural and traditional practices are also cherished. This can be in the form of customs and/or rituals, but also a specific expression of a skill that a country is known for. 

The Header/Banner showcasing the Reverse & Obverse of the 2.5 Euro Commemorative Coin individually and in a Coin-Card, together with a variety of Beer-glasses used in Belgium

The Obverse of the 2.5 Euro Coin shown together with the Reverse of the Coin.  These are the first coins with a revision of the map, which indicates the departure of the UK from the European Union and can be seen on the map shown in the design.

The Commemorative Coin presented in a Coin Card - Reverse & Obverse.

Belgian BEER:

Five years ago, Belgian beer and its culture were added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity

A tradition spanning as far back as two millennia, the wide range of flavours, brands, brewing processes, and ingredients is one of the main reasons why Belgian beers remain so popular amongst consumers. 

Since the first Trappist and Abbey beers, the region — later the country — has had a solid heritage to build upon. 

Compared to Beer coming from various other countries, Belgian beers tend to have higher alcohol content

They are more often bottle-conditioned, that is to say, re-fermented in the bottle, which results in an almost champagne-like effervescence when the beer is poured. 

Presently, there are over 3,000 kinds of Belgian beers or brands, spread out over 200 breweries in the country and varying from pale lager to amber ales, lambic beers, Flemish red ales, sour brown ales, strong ales, and stouts. Many of these brands have dedicated and loyal consumers in Belgium and neighbouring countries, and further afield. 

Making and appreciating BEER:

Making and appreciating beer is part of the living heritage of a range of communities throughout Belgium. 

Knowledge and skills have been passed down by master brewers who teach classes in breweries. 

There are specialised university courses that target those involved in the field and training programmes for entrepreneurs and small test breweries for amateur brewers. 

For this reason, beer was added to the list of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016

The Commemorative Coins:

The Royal Mint of Belgium enlisted the Royal Dutch Mint under special license to strike the Brilliant Uncirculated €2.5 coin, which is legal tender in Belgium but not intended to circulate.

The Royal Dutch Mint has minted the coins at their facilities in Houten, on behalf of the Royal Mint of Belgium.

The Reverse of the 2.5 Euro Brass Coin features a close-up image of a selection of different beer glasses placed in front of each other — representative of the succinct Belgian beer culture as each beer has its own matching type of glass. 

To the left of the primary design is the commemorative text in English "BELGIAN BEER CULTURE — INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE," which is arranged in two lines. 

Under the collection of glasses are the years of commemoration "2016 – 2021". 

The Obverse of the 2.5 Euro Brass Coin, includes a Map of the highlighted 27 member countries of the European Union with 12 stars arranged — six above and below the map.

 These are the first coins with a revision of the map, which indicates the departure of the UK from the European Union and can be seen on the map shown in the design

The text "BELGIE BELGIQUE BELGIEN" is placed half-way around the map representing the three official languages of Belgium. The denomination of "2 ½ EURO" is seen to the left of the map.  

The specifications of this Coin are:

Country of issue: Belgium; Year: 2021; Coin Theme: "Coin celebrates beer’s cultural influence"; Denomination/Face Value: 2.5 EURO (FL/FR); Metal Composition: Brass Alloy; Weight: 10.50 grams; Diameter/Size: 25.65 mm; Coin Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU); Mintage: 20,000 pieces;  Designer(s): Iris Bruijns (front) Luc Luycx (reverse).

Remarks:

1) Each coin is presented in a sealed blister-pak type of card with text both in French and Dutch. A further 7,500 coins are included in the annual FDC set for 2021. 

 2) On the Coin-Card, the thirst is aroused with a close-up of a pint. On the coin the Belgian beer culture in a nutshell; each beer has its own matching type of glass!

3) The coin is presented in a colorful coin card, with either French or Flemish language. In total, 20,000 cards are available, split between the two language versions.

 An additional 7,500 coins are included in the annual FDC (Proof) set and are struck to a Proof finish.











For other interesting posts on Belgium & Luxembourg Coins and Stamps:


5) City of Bruges (or Brugge), Belgium: 20 Years 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

6) 100 Years of Nature & Environment Protection, Luxembourg: Commemorating the Centenary Anniversary of the "Letzebuerger Natur a Vulleschutsliga a.s.b.l. (Luxembourg Nature and Bird Protection Society):A 0.80 Euro Stamp issued by Luxembourg Postes (Post): Date of stamp issue: 10.03.2020

7) Celebrating 25 Years of listing on UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Luxembourg: A Commemorative Stamp of 0.80 Euro issued by Luxembourg Postes (Post): Stamp issue date: 10.03.2020






For other interesting posts on issues from the Royal Dutch Mint, Netherlands and PostNL, please visit the following links:


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

10) First Atlases, Netherlands: Commemorating 450 Years of the first Atlas (1570-2020) & others: A Stamp Sheet of six stamps depicting the Atlases which were compiled in the Netherlands in the 16th & 17th Centuries AD: Stamp Set issued by POstNL: Date of Stamp Set issue: 23.03.2020








Links to other Posts on Aland issues:


2) Wildflowers, Aland Islands: A new Series of Franking Labels issued by Aland Post: Date of issue: 03.02.2020

Some other interesting Posts from Finland, Norway & Nordic Countries:





















5 comments:

  1. Satyajit Pratap has commented:
    "Didn't know Belgium is beer is soo popular."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I came across this news item in the Guardian published in 2016 while writing this post -"Belgian beer is known throughout the world for its wide array of tastes, from extremely sour to bitter, and is brewed in numerous cities, towns and villages across the west European nation of 11 million people.
      The beer’s history stretches back centuries to medieval monks and has been celebrated in paintings by Pieter Brueghel the Elder and in countless songs."

      Delete
  2. Satyajit Pratap has commented:
    "Including the snippet of UK being excluded from Euro".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Also, UK did not want to be a part of the European Union. They were the only country that was permitted to retain their currency - the "English Pound", but they were not happy about it. Everyone else had to switch to the Euro.
      They wanted "individuality". Now they want to continue with/on the same terms, but not be a part of the EU. They have till 12/2021 to negotiate the terms with the EU.

      Delete
  3. Vinod Khurana has commented:
    "Interesting post. Yes, UK is now not a part of EU, as such, future coins or notes of EU may not include symbols of UK."

    ReplyDelete