Brussels – The Royal Mint of Belgium (MRB) has released a limited-edition €12.50 coin made of pure gold to mark the 65th birthday of King Philippe, celebrated on Tuesday.
The commemorative 2025 coin is being hailed as a tribute to the monarch’s enduring service to the country and his involvement in numerous social initiatives.
The unique release is not only symbolic but also holds the status of official legal tender in Belgium. However, the unusual face value of €12.50 has sparked curiosity.
A spokesperson from the Belgian Ministry of Finance clarified the reasoning behind the denomination, linking it to both contemporary and historical practices.
“The value of the coin and the metal have always been linked in recent years,” the spokesperson told The Brussels Times. “Thus, the €12.50 is always how much a gold coin is worth.”
This is not the first time Belgium has issued a €12.50 coin in gold. The denomination has become somewhat of a tradition, reserved for royal commemorations.
In 2023, a similar coin was minted for Queen Mathilde’s 50th birthday, and in 2024, for the 25th wedding anniversary of the royal couple.
The Ministry of Finance views the recurring denomination as a way to maintain a sense of continuity and reverence in royal-themed commemorative coins.
The coin, created by the Royal Mint’s official designer Iris Bruijns, features a detailed portrait of King Philippe based on a photograph by renowned Belgian photographer Bas Bogaerts.
The same image inspired the official birthday portraits released to the public earlier this week. Bruijns’ design captures the King’s likeness with intricate craftsmanship, highlighting the coin’s appeal as a collector’s item.
A total of 2,500 copies of the coin have been produced, each retailing for approximately €200 — far above its nominal value, reflecting its status as a limited-edition collector’s piece crafted in pure gold. The coin is expected to attract collectors, numismatists, and royal enthusiasts alike.
Beyond the modern context, the €12.50 denomination also carries historical significance. The Ministry of Finance noted that before the euro was introduced in 2002, Belgium issued commemorative coins with a denomination of 500 Belgian Francs (BEF).
“The sum of €12.50 in itself also has a link to the Belgian commemorative coins from before the introduction of the euro,” the Ministry explained. “The conversion of these into euros is, roughly, €12.50.”
King Philippe, born in 1960, ascended to the Belgian throne in 2013 following the abdication of his father, King Albert II.
Over the past decade, he has been praised for his quiet diplomacy, constitutional impartiality, and commitment to social causes, including youth development, mental health, and environmental awareness.
The issuance of this coin underlines the esteem in which the monarch is held by the Belgian state and reinforces the royal family’s cultural and historical significance in national life. As the only gold coin to be issued by Belgium in 2025, it stands as a singular symbol of celebration, continuity, and tribute.
