Antwerp-Centraal was built between 1895 and 1905 under the direction of architect Louis Delacenserie, commissioned by King Leopold II as a deliberate statement of Belgian industrial ambition. The station's iron-and-glass train shed — engineered by Clément Van Bogaert — was a feat of structural engineering that briefly held the record for the largest arched roof span in the world. Belgium's commemorative gold program has leaned heavily on architectural subjects since the early 2000s, and this 2017 issue is part of that ongoing series honoring UNESCO-recognized or nationally significant structures.
Mintage for Belgian commemorative gold issues of this denomination typically runs to a few hundred pieces, keeping secondary market premiums well above melt.
Antwerp-Centraal was built between 1895 and 1905 under the direction of architect Louis Delacenserie, commissioned by King Leopold II as a deliberate statement of Belgian industrial ambition. The station's iron-and-glass train shed — engineered by Clément Van Bogaert — was a feat of structural engineering that briefly held the record for the largest arched roof span in the world. Belgium's commemorative gold program has leaned heavily on architectural subjects since the early 2000s, and this 2017 issue is part of that ongoing series honoring UNESCO-recognized or nationally significant structures.
Mintage for Belgian commemorative gold issues of this denomination typically runs to a few hundred pieces, keeping secondary market premiums well above melt.