Deutsch
English
Français
Español
Italiano
Nederlands
Português
Slovenčina
Hrvatski
Slovenščina
Lietuvių
Eesti
Български
CC 151 2013
2 euro coin
Proof
2 Euro Proof
Belgium · 100 years of Königlich Meteorologisches Institut
Mintage5,000
Issue price€20.00
Issue date18 Sept 2013
Packagingin case
Edge lettering2 ★ ★ × 6, alternating upright/inverted
Market price€99.00
Issue occasion
The coin commemorates the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Meteorological Institute (Königlichen Meteorologischen Instituts). At the centre is the number 100: the first zero encloses the abbreviations “KMI” and “IRM”, while the second represents the sun. To the left are depictions of isobars, raindrops and snowflakes; also included are the year 2013, the country code “BE”, the mint master’s mark and the Brussels mintmark featuring the helmeted head of the Archangel Michael.
The design
The inner part of the coin shows the number 100 in the centre, with the first zero enclosing the abbreviations “KMI” and “IRM”, while the second zero represents the sun.
Isobars, raindrops and snowflakes appear to the left of the sun. The year 2013 appears in the upper rays of the sun; the country code “BE” is located in the lower rays. The mint master’s mark and the mint mark of Brussels, the helmeted head of the Archangel Michael, are depicted below the digit 1 of the number 100.
The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the outer ring of the coin.
Isobars, raindrops and snowflakes appear to the left of the sun. The year 2013 appears in the upper rays of the sun; the country code “BE” is located in the lower rays. The mint master’s mark and the mint mark of Brussels, the helmeted head of the Archangel Michael, are depicted below the digit 1 of the number 100.
The twelve stars of the European flag are depicted on the outer ring of the coin.
Background on the topic
The founding in 1913 does not mark the beginning of meteorological observations in Belgium. Weather data had already been systematically recorded at the Royal Observatory in Brussels since the 19th century. The astronomer and statistician Adolphe Quetelet was one of the early organizers of this work. An independent institution later emerged from the meteorological service based there. In 1913, the service was organizationally separated from the observatory; the anniversary refers to this step.
The institute is based in Uccle, or Ukkel, in the Brussels-Capital Region. Its French designation is “Institut royal météorologique de Belgique”, and its Dutch designation is “Koninklijk Meteorologisch Instituut van België”. This explains the two abbreviations used on the coin, IRM and KMI. At the same time, they refer to the multilingual nature of Belgium’s federal institutions.
The institute’s tasks include observing and scientifically studying weather and climate, as well as issuing forecasts and warnings. Among other sources, measurement stations, weather radar, satellite data and long-term series of measurements are evaluated for this purpose. Warnings of storms, heavy rain, icy conditions, heat or other weather hazards serve the authorities, transport, agriculture and the population. Long-term observation series also make it possible to determine how averages and the frequencies of certain weather conditions change. In addition to meteorology and climatology, the institute also deals with geophysical phenomena.
The establishment of the meteorological service as an independent entity took place at a time when weather observation in Europe was increasingly being organized as a permanent state responsibility. Standardized measurement methods and the rapid exchange of data were necessary because weather systems cross national borders. National services therefore became part of international observation networks.
The institutional anniversary was a suitable subject for the commemorative coin because the institute is a scientific federal authority with a direct public responsibility. The design combines its centenary with readily recognizable symbols of weather observation and also makes the French and Dutch designations visible.
The institute is based in Uccle, or Ukkel, in the Brussels-Capital Region. Its French designation is “Institut royal météorologique de Belgique”, and its Dutch designation is “Koninklijk Meteorologisch Instituut van België”. This explains the two abbreviations used on the coin, IRM and KMI. At the same time, they refer to the multilingual nature of Belgium’s federal institutions.
The institute’s tasks include observing and scientifically studying weather and climate, as well as issuing forecasts and warnings. Among other sources, measurement stations, weather radar, satellite data and long-term series of measurements are evaluated for this purpose. Warnings of storms, heavy rain, icy conditions, heat or other weather hazards serve the authorities, transport, agriculture and the population. Long-term observation series also make it possible to determine how averages and the frequencies of certain weather conditions change. In addition to meteorology and climatology, the institute also deals with geophysical phenomena.
The establishment of the meteorological service as an independent entity took place at a time when weather observation in Europe was increasingly being organized as a permanent state responsibility. Standardized measurement methods and the rapid exchange of data were necessary because weather systems cross national borders. National services therefore became part of international observation networks.
The institutional anniversary was a suitable subject for the commemorative coin because the institute is a scientific federal authority with a direct public responsibility. The design combines its centenary with readily recognizable symbols of weather observation and also makes the French and Dutch designations visible.
eBay price analysis
For this issue, there is a price history based on actual eBay sales – with median, range and number of sales
View price analysis