Belgium 2 Euro Coin 2023 “Art Nouveau” BU in Coincard NL

Never before in Belgian numismatics has a 2-euro coin been dedicated to an art movement! To honour the Art Nouveau year in Belgium, the Royal Mint of Belgium is now issuing a unique 2-euro coin.
 
130 years of Art Nouveau in Belgium
In 1893, architect Victor Horta put the finishing touches to the Tassel House. In doing so, he gave the starting shot of Art Nouveau in Brussels. The imposing façade, the sumptuous stained-glass interiors, the decorative mosaics and the swirling wrought iron soon left their mark on the architecture of the late Belle Époque. Nature, in particular, was an important source of inspiration for Art Nouveau, illustrated by the generous use of plant and floral motifs and numerous bird images.
 
This pioneering architectural and decorative style was immediately emulated by Horta's colleagues and spread across the country. Many of his talented contemporaries, such as Paul Hankar, Henry Van de Velde and Ernest Blerot, ensured that the (Brussels) street scene was embellished with hundreds of beautiful Art Nouveau façades in just 25 years. To this day, more than five hundred architectural gems remain, making our capital a true cradle of the Art Nouveau style.
 
In 2023 - 130 years later - Brussels will take advantage of this anniversary to highlight its Art Nouveau heritage with a cultural programme packed with exceptional exhibitions, unique city walks and many other exciting events. It goes without saying that a unique anniversary programme like this should not lack an appropriate commemorative coin either. Therefore, the Royal Mint has designed a beautiful commemorative 2-euro coin that perfectly reflects the refined elegance of the Art Nouveau style.
 
A stylish collector's item that commemorates Belgium's precious Art Nouveau heritage in a glorious way
The BU version in coincard is a true delight for any Art Nouveau enthusiast. The packaging bears this out through a graphic representation of floral garlands and typical Art Nouveau colours borrowed from nature.
 
On the coin itself, you will see the text 'ART NOUVEAU' at the top. Below and around this is a facade detail of the House of Eetvelde, a wall mosaic by Victor Horta. On the left the mintmaster's mark (an erlenmeyer flask with aster) and the privy mark of the Royal Dutch Mint (the Mercury staff). Next to it country indication BE and the year 2023, to the right 'IB' (the initials of designer Iris Bruijns). 
 
A facade detail of the 'House of Eetvelde' in Brussels designed by Belgian Art Nouveau icon Victor Horta, was inspiration for the 2-euro commemorative coin. The exceptional building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of Belgian Art Nouveau, which is known far beyond its borders through its representatives and influenced the movement across Europe.
 
The facade detail can be found on the exterior facade between two floors full of stained-glass windows. As it were, it provides the connection between the floors and widens the view. After all, Art Nouveau is more than just a movement within architecture, it is a total art also in the decorative where the whole always comes first. That the Eetvelde House should eventually become an Art Nouveau interpretation centre helps to reinforce this glorious art movement and its Belgian importance here.
 
The design itself lets Art Nouveau typical asymmetrical composition speak for itself. The elegant interplay of lines forms a clear link to nature. With some imagination, an Iris flower can be seen making a visible link to designer Iris Bruijns.