Belgium · Reopening of Atomium Brussels

Issue date10 Apr 2006

Total mintage5,023,000

EU maximum5,000,000

Editions3

Edge lettering2 ★ ★ × 6, alternating upright/inverted

InscriptionLL / B / 2006

DesignerLuc Luycx

mintKoninklijke Munt van Belgie, Brussel

Issue occasion

The commemorative coin is dedicated to Atomium. The inner part of the coin depicts the structure; the engraver’s initials “LL” appear at the bottom right, while two mint marks flank the lowest sphere. The outer ring features twelve stars and the monogram “B”.

The design

The inner part of the coin bears the “Atomium”. The engraver’s initials “LL” are located in the lower part, to the right of the Atomium. At the bottom edge of the inner part of the coin, two mintmarks can be seen, one to the right and the other to the left of the lowest sphere of the Atomium. The coin’s outer ring bears twelve stars. The outer ring also features, each between two stars, the monogram “B” at the top and the minting year “2006” at the bottom.

Background on the topic

The Atomium stands on the Heysel Plateau in Brussels and was built for the Expo 58 world’s fair. Held in 1958, it was the first major world’s fair after the Second World War. In an era shaped by reconstruction, the Cold War and rapid technological change, the participating states presented their visions of science, industry and social development. The peaceful use of atomic energy was also one of the central themes.

The Atomium was designed by Belgian engineer André Waterkeyn; André and Jean Polak were involved in the architectural development. The structure is 102 metres high and represents the unit cell of an iron crystal enlarged approximately 165 billion times. Eight spheres mark the corners of a cube, with another marking its centre. Tubes connect the spheres and contain staircases, escalators or lifts. Several spheres are accessible to visitors and are used for exhibitions.

With its form reminiscent of a scientific model, the structure embodied the era’s belief in technological progress. At the same time, it was originally intended to exist only for the duration of the Expo. However, it remained after the event and developed into a widely recognisable landmark of Brussels and Belgium.

The coin’s issue coincided with the completion of extensive renovation work. The Atomium had been closed from 2004 because its outer shell and parts of the structure needed to be renewed. The original aluminium cladding of the spheres was replaced with stainless steel. The structure was reopened to the public in February 2006. The choice of the motif therefore represented not only a Belgian structure from the period of Expo 58, but also referred to its reopening after restoration.