The design of Belgium's first 2-euro commemorative coin for 2026 has been unveiled. The coin's theme is "100 Years of Belgian National Railways SNCB."
The obverse features the centenary figure "100" at its centre, with the two zeroes incorporating the following design elements: [TBA]. Along the upper rim, the SNCB railway company logo and the years "1926" and "2026" on either side. The country code "BE" and the mint marks of the Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt and incumbent Belgian mintmaster Giovanni Van de Velde, along with the initials "IB" of coin designer Iris Bruijns, appear at the lower rim. The twelve stars of the European flag are on the outer ring. Designed once again by Iris Bruijns, as in previous years, the coin is expected to have a total mintage of approximately 125,000, including 60,000 each in Flemish and French-language BU coincards and 5,000 in proof. Whether a further 2 million circulation coins will follow, as in past years, has not yet been confirmed.
The Belgian national railway operator, today known as SNCB (French: Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Belges / Dutch: NMBS), was established in 1926 to unify and modernise rail services across Belgium. From its origins with steam locomotives to modern high-speed rail, the SNCB has been a constant driving force in railway development. The centenary honours a century of reliable mobility and the railway's vital role in Belgium's economy, society and sustainable transport.
Source: Royal Dutch Mint KNM via Instagram