Belgium 1996 50 ecu
This specimen was lot 672 in Jean Elsen sale 140 (Brussels, March 2019), where it sold for €485 (about US$646 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BELGIQUE, Royaume, Albert II (1993-2013), AV 50 ecu, 1996. 50e anniversaire de l'Unicef. Ecrin. Flan poli. (kingdom of Belgium, Albert II, 1993-2013, gold fifty écus of 1996, on the fiftieth anniversary of UNICEF. 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. This NCLT was accompanied by a silver five ecu (KM 203).
Recorded mintage: 2,500 proofs.
Specification: 15.56 g, 0.999 fine gold, 29 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 204, Fr-437.
- 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 140, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2019.
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