Belgium 1990 20 ecu
The first specimen was lot 1320 in Jean Elsen sale 144 (Brussels, March 2020), where it sold for €250 (about US$330 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BELGIQUE, Royaume, Baudouin (1951-1993), AV 20 ecu, 1990. 60e anniversaire du roi. Flan poli. (kingdom of Belgium, Baldwin I, 1951-93, gold twenty écus of 1990, sixtieth birthday of the king. Proof.)"
The second specimen was lot 1328 in Jean Elsen sale 146 (Brussels, November 2020), where it sold for €260 (about US$379 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"BELGIQUE, Royaume, Baudouin (1951-1993), AV 20 ecu, 1990. 60e anniversaire du roi. Flan poli. (kingdom of Belgium, Baldwin, 1951-93, gold twenty ecu 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 176 (bimetallic 10 ecu), KM 178 (silver 500 frank), KM 179 (silver 500 francs) and KM 180 (silver 500 franken).
Recorded mintage: 34,902.
Specification: 10.50 g, bimetallic, 0.900 fine gold center, silver outer ring, 29 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 177, Fr-432.
- 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.
- [2]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 146: Collection Anthony Lorrain Monnaies de Metz, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2020.
Link to: