Coalition Coin

To honor the 75th anniversary of the founding of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Royal Mint of Belgium has issued a 10-euro silver proof coin. The military alliance, widely regarded as the world’s oldest and most successful, was established on April 4, 1949, in the wake of World War II. The organization’s administrative headquarters is located in Brussels, Belgium, and the alliance currently numbers 32 countries. The most recent members are Finland and Sweden, which joined in 2023 and 2024, respectively. 

Iris Bruijins designed the reverse of the coin, and it features the NATO emblem superimposed over a globe made up of dots. The organization’s name appears in English, Dutch, and French above the central design (NATO • NAVO • OTAN). The legend 75 YEARS • JAAR • ANS is below. Luc Luycx’s effigy of King Philippe appears on the obverse with the year, denomination, and the legend BELGIE-BELGIQUE-BELGIEN, representing the three official languages of Belgium (Dutch, French, and German).

A version of this article appears in the June 2024 issue of The Numismatist (money.org).