Belgium 2.5 Euro Coin 2022 “20 Years of euro coin” BU in Coincard NL

Since 2002, the euro has been the currency of 19 EU countries with more than 340 million inhabitants and the second most important currency in the world. Euro coins and notes are a tangible, everyday reminder of the freedom, ease of payment and many opportunities the European Union offers.
For example, the euro makes it easy for us to save and invest with confidence, to compare prices and do business, as well as to work, study or even retire abroad. After 20 years, we have all but forgotten that we once paid in Belgian francs and that we had to run to the bank to stock up on lira, pesetas or drachmas every time we went on holiday.
 
A resounding 2½ euro coin
The icing on the birthday cake
 
The obverse shows the euro symbol, in on a background of binary numbers, surrounded by quotes and 20 YEARS EURO. The sequence of numbers: 11100010 10000010 10101100 stands for the '€'. The quote at the bottom "PER ASPERA AD ASTRA" is from honorary governor Jan Smets, at the time the euro commissioner, responsible for the introduction of the euro in Belgium. "Via difficulties to the stars", is still topical and apt for the introduction and use of the world's second largest currency. Stars and stripes are depicted on the right-hand side of the design, inspired by the value side of euro circulation coins. In the path of the stars, the everyday advantages of using the euro coin are mentioned work, study, retire, travel, shopping, business. To the left of the stars is the letter P, initial of the engraver/modeler Pannos Goutzemisis.
The reverse shows the usual graphic elements such as the value, the year and the European map. A euro-inspired coincard packaging provides the finishing touch.