Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 2 Euro 2018, KM# 373, Belgium, Philippe, 50th Anniversary of the ESRO-2B Satellite
  • 2 Euro 2018, KM# 373, Belgium, Philippe, 50th Anniversary of the ESRO-2B Satellite
  • 2 Euro 2018, KM# 373, Belgium, Philippe, 50th Anniversary of the ESRO-2B Satellite, Coincard (NL type)
  • 2 Euro 2018, KM# 373, Belgium, Philippe, 50th Anniversary of the ESRO-2B Satellite, Coincard (FR type)
  • 2 Euro 2018, KM# 373, Belgium, Philippe, 50th Anniversary of the ESRO-2B Satellite, Proof box
  • 2 Euro 2018, KM# 373, Belgium, Philippe, 50th Anniversary of the ESRO-2B Satellite, Proof box, accompanied by a 20 Euro coin dedicated to the same subject
Description

ESRO-2B or Iris (International Radiation Investigation Satellite) was a European astrophysical spin-stabilised research satellite which was launched in 1968. Operated by the European Space Research Organisation, ESRO 2B made astronomical surveys primarily in x-ray and solar particles detectors.

Obverse

Depicts the piece represents the ESRO 2B satellite placed into Earth orbit. Dates above, the country code (BE for Belgium), the mint and privy marks below. The outer ring depicts the twelve stars of the European flag.

• Royal Dutch Mint's mintmark: Caduceus or Mercury's wand, a short staff entwined by two serpents
• Royal Belgian Mint Director's privy mark: Coat of arms of the municipality Herzele (Ingrid Van Herzele)
• Engraver: Luc Luycx

ESRO-2B
1968
2018
IRIS
BE LL

Reverse

A geographical map of Western Europe spans the outer ring and inner core on the right side of the coin. The inscription 2 EURO is superimposed over the map of Europe, with the numeral “2” located in an open field representing the eastern Atlantic Ocean.

12 stars are located on the right side of the outer ring, with six stars atop the map of Europe and six stars below it; six vertical stripes cut across the inner core of the coin, visually connecting the upper and lower star segments.

Luc Luycx, a designer at the Royal Belgian Mint, designed the Euro’s common reverse; his initials, LL, are seen on the right side of the design, just under the “O” in “EURO.”

2 EURO
LL

Edge

The sequence "2 ★ ★" repeated six times alternately upright and inverted

2 ★ ★ 2 ★ ★ 2 ★ ★ 2 ★ ★ 2 ★ ★ 2 ★ ★

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Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Bi-Metallic
Ring Cupronickel
Center Nickel Brass
Weight 8.5 g
Diameter 25.75 mm
Thickness 2.2 mm
Shape round
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Dutch Mint (KNM)

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