Belgium 1993 50 ecu
This specimen was lot 924 in Jean Elsen sale 141 (Brussels, June 2019), where it sold for €500 (about US$663 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BELGIQUE, Royaume, Baudouin (1951-1993), AV 50 ecu, 1993. Présidence belge de la Communauté Européenne. Flan poli. (kingdom of Belgium, Baldwin I, 1951-93, gold fifty ecu of 1993, on the presidency of the European Union, 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 1987-97 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.
Recorded mintage: 10,000 proofs.
Specification: 15.56 g, 0.999 fine gold, 29 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 213, Fr-435.
- 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 141, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2019.
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