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Belgium dodges French veto of Waterloo coin

11:45 09/06/2015

In Belgium yesterday, a commemorative coin for the Battle of Waterloo was presented, despite France’s veto of the coin earlier this year. The new coin has a value of €2.50, bypassing the need for permission from France or any other EU member state.

Belgium initially wanted to release a €2 coin to commemorate the anniversary of Napoleon Bonaparte’s defeat at Waterloo 200 years ago on 18 June. The French, however, vetoed the idea, claiming the coin would “undermine the unity of the Eurozone”.

European countries are permitted to issue special €2 coins, but the design must first be approved by the European council of ministers. When France submitted an official protest to the council, Belgium withdrew the currency and spent €50,000 melting the 175,000 coins already produced.

The coins have now been recycled into 100,000 new but identical-looking commemorative coins, each worth €2.50.

Written by Robyn Boyle