20 Frankow Belgia Leopold II Gold Coin | 1867 -1882

20 Belgian Francs Leopold II Gold Coin | 1876-1882 | Royal Belgian Mint

The 20 Belgian Francs Leopold II Gold Coin (1876-1882) is a 19th-century European gold coin struck by the Royal Belgian Mint under the reign of King Leopold II of the Belgians. Produced in .900 fine gold (21.6-carat), the coin weighs 6.45 g and contains 5.81 g of pure gold — a standard shared with the French 20 Franc Napoleon and Swiss 20 Franc Helvetia, making it a recognised instrument of the Latin Monetary Union era.

Specifications

• Country of issue: Belgium (Kingdom)
• Issuing mint: Royal Belgian Mint (Monnaie Royale de Belgique)
• Reign: Leopold II, King of the Belgians (1865-1909)
• Years of issue: 1876-1882
• Metal: Gold
• Fineness: .900 / 900/1000 (21.6-carat)
• Total weight: 6.45 g
• Fine gold content: 5.81 g (approx. 0.187 troy oz)
• Diameter: 21.4 mm
• Obverse: Profile of Leopold II — LEOPOLD II ROI DES BELGES
• Reverse: Crowned Belgian coat of arms — 20 FRANCS
• Packaging: Protective capsule

About this Coin

The obverse depicts a refined profile of Leopold II (1835-1909), second king of the Belgians, with the Latin inscription LEOPOLD II ROI DES BELGES. The portrait is rendered in the classical 19th-century style, with careful attention to the king's characteristic beard and side-parted hair. Leopold II reigned from 1865 to 1909 — a period that saw Belgium become one of Europe's foremost industrial nations.

The reverse carries the Belgian crowned coat of arms — the Lion of Belgium on a shield, surrounded by laurel, topped by the royal crown — flanked by the denomination 20 FR and the date. This coin was part of the Latin Monetary Union (LMU), a 19th-century agreement among France, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland and Greece to standardise their gold and silver coinage. LMU gold at .900 fineness remains one of the most collected categories of European pre-war gold.

Browse the full range of historic European gold coins at GoldInvest24.

Why buy from GoldInvest24

• Authentic Royal Belgian Mint originals from 1876-1882 — genuine pre-war gold
• Supplied in a protective capsule — safe storage from the moment of dispatch
• Insured delivery across Europe — Belgium, Germany, France, Poland and beyond
• VAT-exempt gold bullion — .900 fineness meets EU investment gold criteria

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does this coin compare to the French 20 Franc Napoleon in gold content? A: Both weigh 6.45 g at .900 fineness and contain approximately 5.81 g of pure gold. They were produced to exactly the same Latin Monetary Union standard and trade at comparable bullion premiums.

Q: What years are available? A: The 20 Belgian Francs Leopold II was issued from 1876 to 1882. Exact year depends on stock; all share the same specifications.

Q: Is this coin VAT-exempt? A: Yes. At .900 fineness and above the EU 1 g minimum, it qualifies as investment-grade gold and is VAT-exempt in Poland and across the European Union.

Q: Is the coin suitable for a European gold portfolio? A: Absolutely. Latin Monetary Union gold coins are widely accepted by bullion dealers across Western and Central Europe and offer a compact, historically significant addition to any precious metals holding.