5 Euro Cents - Albert II 1st type, 1st portrait

Belgium struck two distinct portrait types of Albert II across the euro changeover series, and this first type was already being phased toward revision almost as soon as the common currency launched in 2002. The portrait update — a fairly rare mid-series modification for eurozone coinage — came partly in response to criticism that early Belgian euro portraits lacked the standardization expected under the European Council's guidelines for national sides.

The 1999–2001 pieces predate public circulation entirely, produced for starter kits and collector sets ahead of the physical euro launch.