Belgium 1932 20 franken
This specimen was lot 750 in Jean Elsen list 269 (Brussels, July-August 2014), where it was offered for €50 (about US$68). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BELGIQUE, Royaume, Albert Ier (1909-1934), nickel 20 frank - 4 belga, 1932 NL, Pos. A. Très Beau à Superbe (kingdom of Belgium, Albert I (1909-34), nickel twenty francs or four belgas of 1932, position A. Very fine to extremely fine.)"
This type of 1931-32 is the first twenty francs since 1914. Despite the large mintage, it is not cheap. It was also struck at the Brussels mint with French legends (KM 101). As Belgium is about evenly divided between the two languages, that is the government's answer to local regionalism. King Albert was killed in a climbing accident in 1934. A rare variety (KM 101.2) exists with medal rotation.
Recorded mintage: 6,950,000 plus 5,472,000 with French legends (KM 101).
Specification: 20 g, nickel, 37 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: Dupriez, 2443; Bogaert, 2443A, Dav-56, KM 102 (Dutch legends).
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Liste 269: Juillet-Septembre 2014, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2014.
Link to:
- 1930 10 francs
- 1932 10 centimes
- 1933 frank
- 1934 20 frank
- Coins and currency dated 1932
- return to coins of Belgium