By Sebastian Richter, World Coin News October 27, 2009

Louis Braille (1809-1859), the inventor of the braille reading and writing system for blind people, is commemorated on a Belgian 2-euro commemorative coin, which was issued at the end of September.

The coin features a bust of Louis Braille and his initials, “LB,” written in the braille alphabet. The mintage of this coin is 5 million pieces.

It is Belgium’s sixth 2-euro commemorative already. It comes after Economic Union with Luxembourg in 2005, Atomium in 2006, 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome in 2007, 60th anniversary of the human rights in 2008 and 10th anniversary of the Economic and Monetary Union earlier this year.

Five-thousand pieces will be issued in a BU blister set, and another 7,500 coins will be sold in proof quality in a special coin case.

Alongside Belgium, Italy will also dedicate this year’s 2-euro commemorative coin to the 200th birthday of Louis Braille. The coin shows a finger reading braille in an open book and Louis Braille’s name inscribed in braille below. Issue was set for mid-October with a mintage of 2 million pieces.

This will be Italy’s seventh 2-euro commemorative issue after World Food Program of the United Nations in 2004, first anniversary of the European Constitution in 2005, Olympic Winter Games in Turin in 2006, 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome in 2007, 60th anniversary of the human rights in 2008 and 10th anniversary of the Economic and Monetary Union earlier this year.

Fifteen-thousand coins will be available in a special BU blister package.

Like all 2-euro coins, both coins are legal tender throughout the Eurozone.

More Resources:

• Ultimate Standard Catalog of World Coins 5-CD Set (1600-Present)

• 2010 U.S. Coin Digest, The Complete Guide to Current Market Values

• Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Paper Money, 1928 to Date