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The E-Sylum: Volume 18, Number 11, March 15, 2015, Article 26

BELGIUM'S WATERLOO COIN DESIGN UPSETS FRANCE

We recently discussed Argentina's new banknote which thumbs its nose at British sovereignty over the Falkland Islands; this week Pabitra Saha forwarded articles about a new Euro coin design from Belgium that has France in a snit. Here's one from The Telegraph, with an image of the coin also provided by Pabitra Saha - thanks. Thanks to David Pickup as well, who also forwarded some articles. -Editor

Belgium 2 Euro 2015 Waterloo The French government is attempting to block a coin commemorating the Battle of Waterloo, claiming it is a “symbol that is negative” and would undermine the unity of the eurozone.

In an extraordinary intervention, France wants to block plans for a €2 coin to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the historic battle fought by the Duke of Wellington against Napoleon Bonaparte in 1815.

A draft design of the coin was submitted to the Council of the European Union by Belgium, the site of the battle, in February this year.

However, just days later France objected to the coin, claiming it could cause “hostile reactions in France” and undermine the eurozone.

PD*62921990 "The Battle of Waterloo is an event with particular resonance in the collective conscience, going beyond a simple military conflict,” the letter states.

"The circulation of coins carrying a symbol that is negative for a fraction of the European population to us appears prejudicial, in a context where the governments of the Eurozone are trying to strengthen unity and co-operation throughout the monetary union."

The Battle of Waterloo on June 18, 1815 stopped the advance of Napoleon across Europe and sent the French emperor into exile for a second and final time.

The battle was fought near the town of Waterloo in modern-day Belgium.

To read the complete article, see:
French try to block Battle of Waterloo coin (www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/11462782/French-try-to-block-Battle-of-Waterloo-coin.html)

Here's an article from the Daily Mail. -Editor

2 Euro coin The attempt to block the coin was met with defiance by ex-defence minister Sir Gerald Howarth.

He told The Sun: 'This is an absolutely absurd thing to do. The battle was the salvation of Europe from a tyrannical threat.'

Sir Peter Luff, the Tory MP for Mid Worcestershire, added: 'I'm delighted the Eurozone should celebrate the failure of France to create a super-state.

Brussels has struggled to find evocative designs for Euro notes and coins because there are no true EU figures respected across the continent.

Choosing a famous person or even a monument from one country risked offending others, so the notes portray bland, undefinable architectural shapes and a simple map of Europe.

Coins have a map of Europe on one side, while each country chooses a design for the other.

The coin design is ugly, I think, and that's plenty of reason alone to can it. But history is history, and pivotal events like the Battle of Waterloo ought to be commemorated in coinage regardless of any perceived political incorrectness. Didn't the French just throw a parade, holds hands, and sing Kumbaya about nations standing together? This dust-up just seems bizarre. Does anyone beside the ministry sending the letter really care? -Editor

David Pickup adds:

There should be a commemorative for Agincourt later this year! I wonder the French will say about that!

To read the complete article, see:
Is this the euro’s Waterloo? Paris tries to block coin marking 200th anniversary of Napoleon’s final defeat because it will upset the French people (www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2989209/Paris-tries-block-Waterloo-200th-anniversary-coin-upset-French-people.html)

The upshot is that Belgium has withdrawn the coin design. Pabitra Saha forwarded this later article. David Sundman also sent an article on this topic. Thanks. -Editor

Two hundred years after Napoleon’s ambitions to rule Europe died at Waterloo, France won a small battle on Wednesday to prevent the minting of a euro coin commemorating an event that shaped today’s continent.

Belgium withdrew a proposal to strike a special 2-euro piece in honour of the Anglo-Dutch-German victory outside Brussels on 18 June, 1815, an EU official said, averting an EU ministerial vote after Paris objected on the grounds that glorifying a time of conflict ran counter to efforts to foster European unity.

There was no immediate comment from France, which last year struck a commemorative 2-euro coin marking the 70th anniversary of the Normandy landings that helped end Nazi German hegemony.

To read the complete article, see:
France wins second 'battle of Waterloo' after commemoration coin dropped (www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/12/france-wins-second-battle-of-waterloo-after-commemoration-coin-dropped)



Wayne Homren, Editor

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