Belgium 1990 10 ecu
This specimen was lot 1322 in Jean Elsen sale 144 (Brussels, March 2020), where it sold for €125 (about US$165 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BELGIQUE, Royaume, Baudouin (1951-1993), AV 10 ecu, 1990. 60e anniversaire du roi. Flan poli. (kingdom of Belgium, Baldwin I, 1951-93, gold ten écus of 1990, sixtieth birthday of the king. Proof.)"
During the currency unification negotiations that eventually led to the euro, a coin called the ecu was proposed. The Belgian government went so far as to issue several different types 1987-98 to promote it. All were struck in precious metals, suggesting that the regime never seriously believed it would displace the Belgian franc then circulating. The euro was introduced in 1999-2002 and these coins now trade for bullion. Other coins issued on this occasion include KM 177 (bimetallic 20 ecu), KM 178 (silver 500 frank), KM 179 (silver 500 francs) and KM 180 (silver 500 franken).
Recorded mintage: 42,000.
Specification: 5.30 g, bimetallic, 0.900 fine gold center, 0.100 troy oz AGW, silver outer ring, 22 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 201, Fr-433.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- 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., Vente Publique 144, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2020.
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