The flag consisted of two horizontal stripes, blue on the top and black on the bottom.

[1] The flag was first unveiled at the 1958 Exposition in Brussels, seven years after the establishment of the Community.

[citation needed] The number of stars began at six and increased with the membership of the Community until 1986 when it reached twelve.

This kept it inline with the flag of Europe (used by its sister organisations) which displayed twelve stars representing perfection and unity.

[1][2][3] An original copy of the flag of the ECSC with 12 stars is displayed in the office of the President of the European University Institute in Florence, Prof. J. H.H.