Belgian 20 francs Leopold II
Belgium · gold · 1867-1882
Overview
The Belgian 20 franc gold coin bearing the effigy of Leopold II was struck from 1867 to 1882 by the Brussels Mint, to the Latin Monetary Union standard that Belgium had just adopted: 6.4516 g of 900 ‰ gold, that is 5.806 g of fine gold, with a diameter of 21 mm, exactly the values of the French Napoléon. The obverse carries the bearded profile of the king, the reverse the arms of the kingdom beneath the crown; the edge is lettered with the national motto. It is the Belgian gold coin most widespread in the country's families, often handed down from one generation to the next, and it reaches the counter with very variable wear. Its theoretical weight and its diameter are the first checks; the hue and the sharpness of the edge lettering are others. At Gold & Silver Company in Dottignies, every Leopold II 20 francs is weighed and appraised in front of the person; the assay in the agency is what counts.
Latin Monetary Union standard, identical to the Napoléon.
Characteristics
| Country | Belgium |
|---|---|
| Metal | gold |
| Gross weight | 6.4516 g |
| Fineness | 900 ‰ |
| Fine metal | 5.806 g |
| Diameter | 21 mm |
| Years of issue | 1867-1882 |
How to check it
Indicative check: weigh the coin to the centigram and measure its diameter with callipers; a deviation of more than 0.1 g or 0.2 mm from the reference values warrants an examination in the agency. The assay in the agency is what counts.
At Gold & Silver Company
Every coin is weighed and appraised in front of the person, at the agency in Dottignies (Mouscron); the price is set at the rate of the moment of the transaction and is never published in advance.
Welcome policy: for gold, Gold & Silver Company receives by appointment from one kilogram; below that, no appointment is needed during opening hours; for silver, no appointment is needed whatever the quantity.
Related terms
Further reading
Sources
Characteristics checked against the reference numismatic catalogues and the issuers' official specifications (September 2026). The appraisal in the agency is what counts.