— Two countries' mints have each come up with a striking way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of "Europe's gateway to space."

The Royal Mint of Belgium and the Royal Dutch Mint have struck new euro coins to commemorate the first half-century of the European Space Agency (ESA). The limited edition coins were developed in partnership with international organization.

On May 30, 1975, the ESA Convention was signed, approving the merger of ELDO and ESRO, the European Launcher Development Organization and European Space Research Organisation. The next day, ESA began operations.

"Space has always fueled our imagination — and in 2025, we have a special reason to celebrate: the European Space Agency (ESA) turns 50!" reads the description of the new release. "To mark this cosmic milestone, the Royal Mint of Belgium is issuing a special €2.50 coin in tribute to five decades of European achievements in space."

Limited to a maximum production of 5,000 pieces, the Belgian commemorative depicts ESA's official 50th anniversary logo on its obverse, or heads side, and a map of Europe denoting the 23 member states of ESA on the reverse (or tails side). Each 1-inch (25.65 mm) brass coin comes mounted in a matching coincard, or collectible coin holder, and is available with text in either French or Dutch.

The first coin struck was presented to Jean-Luc Trullemans, head of ESA's European Space Security and Education Centre (ESEC) in Redu, Belgium, by Belgian mintmaster Giovanni Van de Velde on May 26.

The 2.50-euro "50 Years of the European Space Agency" coin retails for €10.00 (about $11.35 U.S.) and is available from both the Royal Mint of Belgium and the Royal Dutch Mint.

Similarly, the Royal Dutch Mint is producing a 50 euro cent coin, also with its own coincard. The holder depicts Europe as seen from space at night and include ESA's 50th anniversary logo on its reverse. The total mintage for the uncirculated 7.8-gram Nordic gold coin is still to be determined.

Mintmaster Bert van Ravenswaaij presented the first of the Dutch coins to Dietmar Pilz, ESA's Director of Technology, Engineering and Quality, at ESTEC (European Space Research and Technology Centre) in Noordwijk, The Netherlands May 23.

The 50-cent euro "50 Years ESA" coin sells for €8.95 (about $10.20 U.S.) from the Royal Dutch Mint.

"Fifty years is a wonderful milestone for the European Space Agency," Josef Aschbacher, ESA Director General, said in a statement. "There is so much to look forward to in the future."