Belgium 12.5 euro 2022 “Royal Greenhouses of Laeken” Gold Proof in Case

The Royal Mint of Belgium issues a pure golden 12 ½ euro coin every year. For the next four years, it will always have a royal touch. The mini-series is kicked off by the issue in honor of the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken.
 
Royal Greenhouses of Laeken
The nineteenth century was characterised by industrial revolution, inventions of new building techniques with new materials such as steel and glass. This development resulted in a new type of building: the conservatory.
 
After King Leopold II visited the World's Fair in London in 1851 and saw the Crystal Palace there, he wanted a similar modern structure in his castle garden. Apart from a tropical plant greenhouse, it had to be a multifunctional space that could be used as a reception, party, dining and theatre hall. Working closely with the king, (court) architect Alphonse Balat realised the conservatory complex.
 
In total, the Royal Greenhouses consist of 36 pavilions made of glass and green-painted iron, covering a total area of 2.5 hectares. All in harmony with the old orangery and the classical style of the castle buildings. The first completed conservatory is the Winter Garden, completed in 1874. This is the largest conservatory; it is dome-shaped with a diameter of 57 metres and is 25 metres high. In this way, it could accommodate the Congo palm trees. It became an exemplary structure for the development of iron architecture.
 
Important receptions of the royal family are still organised in the Winter Garden. Also, the Royal Greenhouses are open to the public for 20 days every year in spring. 
 
Art nouveau in miniature
To promote the unique 'glass city' in Art Nouveau style, the Royal Mint of Belgium is now issuing a beautiful 12½-euro coin struck in the purest gold and in the very highest Proof quality. The obverse shows the top of the largest and first conservatory, the Winter Garden (1874), in side view. The background shows the view when looking up into the dome, flanked by some exotic leafy branches. Circular text: Serres royales de Laeken – Koninklijke Serres van Laken. The reverse features, for the first time on a gold commemorative coin, King Philip's portrait, the face value and the trilingual country indication. A luxurious case and a numbered Certificate of Authenticity complete this subtle numismatic gem.