20 Francs - Léopold II heavy coarser beard

Features

Issuer Belgium
King Leopold II (1865-1909)
Type Standard circulation coin
Years 1867-1870
Value 20 Francs (20 BEF)
Currency Franc (1832-2001)
Composition Gold (.900) (10% copper)
Weight 6.4516 g
Diameter 21 mm
Shape Round
Technique Milled
Orientation Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized 20 April 1957
Number
N#
13801
References KM# 32,
Tracy L. Schmidt (editor); 2019. Standard Catalog of World Coins / 2001-Date (14th edition). Krause Publications, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States.
And 5 more volumes.
LA# BFM-155 to 162,
Laurens Aernout; 2017. Catalogus van Belgische Numismatische Uitgiften : 1831-2017. Numismatica Zuidwest-Vlaanderen, Belgium.
Delmonte G# 1294
André Delmonte; 1964. Le Benelux d'or : Répertoire du monnayage d'or des territoires composant les anciennes Pays-Bas. Jacques Schulman N.V., Amsterdam.
And 1 more volumes.

Obverse

Head of King Leopold II facing right, surrounded by lettering in French. Date and designer below.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
LEOPOLD II ROI DES BELGES
L W
1868

Translation: Leopold the Second, King of the Belgians

Engraver: Léopold Wiener

Reverse

Crowned coat of arms of Belgium, motto in French above, value below.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE
20 FR.

Unabridged legend: 20 Francs

Translation: Unity Makes Strength

Engraver: Léopold Wiener

Edge

Plain with raised lettering

Script: Latin

Lettering: DIEU * PROTEGE * LA * BELGIQUE *****

Translation: God Protects Belgium

Mint

Royal Mint of Belgium, Brussels, Belgium (983-2017)

Comments

Position A: The edge lettering reads in upright position when the reverse side (with face value) faces up.
Position B: The edge lettering reads in upright position when the obverse side (with head) faces up.

There are 4 types recognized:
Type 1 (1867, 1868, 1869, 1870):
  • Large crown
  • FR. with point
  • hair on forehead with 1 curl
  • sharp cut bottom of neck
  • text on 1.5 mm from neck, smaller head
  • R (roi) >1 mm from forehead
  • narrow year: <4 mm wide


Type 2 (1868, 1869):
  • 1-4 same as type 1
  • text <1 mm from neck, larger head
  • R (roi) <1 mm from forehead
  • wide year: 4.1-4.8 mm wide


Type 3 (1870, 1871, 1874)
  • small crown
  • FR without point
  • hair on forehead with double curl
  • sharp cut bottom of neck over 1/2 length
  • beard at bottom curved to the left


Type 4 (1870-1882)
  • 1-3 same as type 3
  • sharp cut bottom of neck over 3/4 length
  • beard at bottom approximately straight down

See also

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Date Mintage VG F VF XF AU UNC Frequency
1867  Photo 1 341 307 $ 360 $ 360 $ 360 40% Morin 141; Type 1; Position A; Different 7 positions exist
1868  1 381 749 $ 380 25% Morin 142; Type 1; Position A
1868  2% Morin 142a; Type 2; Position A
1869  1 234 474 21% Morin 143; Type 1; Position A
1869  10% Morin 143a; Type 2; Position B
1869  5% Morin 143b; Type 2; Position A
1870  Photo 3 191 203 $ 360 $ 410 35% Morin 144; Type 1; Position A

Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.

Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.

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Members from this site want to exchange it: chardon var, biochbig, JeroenVDV

Feedback: 5/55/55/55/55/5 (×16)
Country: France
Languages: French
Feedback: none
Country: Belgium
Languages: French
Feedback: none
Country: Belgium
Languages: English Dutch French Spanish

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Numista Rarity index: 37 Search tips
This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

Bullion value: USD 416.30 Search tips
This value is given for information purpose only. It is based on a price of gold at 71 696 USD/kg. Numista does not buy or sell coins or metal.

Past sales

Pictures Sale Date Version Grade Sold price
Picture 1 of a sold 20 Francs - Léopold II (heavy coarser beard)
Katz
Auction 96
Lot 19
Internet Archive
23 Sep 2023 1867 – Morin 141; Type 1; Position A; Different 7 positions exist UNC USD 348.48
(EUR 323.00)
(+ buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 20 Francs - Léopold II (heavy coarser beard)
Katz
Auction 79
Lot 27
Internet Archive
21 Mar 2023 1867 – Morin 141; Type 1; Position A; Different 7 positions exist XF USD 411.06
(EUR 381.00)
(+ buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 20 Francs - Léopold II (heavy coarser beard)
Katz
Auction 70
Lot 311
Internet Archive
13 Nov 2022 1867 – Morin 141; Type 1; Position A; Different 7 positions exist XF USD 357.11
(EUR 331.00)
(+ buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 20 Francs - Léopold II (heavy coarser beard)
Katz
Auction 98
Lot 28
Internet Archive
14 Oct 2023 1870 – Morin 144; Type 1; Position A UNC USD 351.72
(EUR 326.00)
(+ buyer's premium)
Heritage Auctions
2023 March 5 A Special Collection of World Gold Coins, Part II Showcase Auction 61311
Lot 25031
Internet Archive
5 Mar 2023 1870 – Morin 144; Type 1; Position A UNC
(NGC MS62)
USD 408.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 20 Francs - Léopold II (heavy coarser beard)
Katz
Auction 77
Lot 2043
Internet Archive
11 Feb 2023 1870 – Morin 144; Type 1; Position A UNC USD 366.82
(EUR 340.00)
(+ buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 20 Francs - Léopold II (heavy coarser beard)Picture 1 of a sold 20 Francs - Léopold II (heavy coarser beard)Picture 1 of a sold 20 Francs - Léopold II (heavy coarser beard)Picture 1 of a sold 20 Francs - Léopold II (heavy coarser beard)
Heritage Auctions
Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232248
Lot 61289
Internet Archive
24 Nov 2022 1870 – Morin 144; Type 1; Position A UNC
(NGC UNC Details (Reverse Scratched))
USD 360.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 20 Francs - Léopold II (heavy coarser beard)Picture 1 of a sold 20 Francs - Léopold II (heavy coarser beard)Picture 1 of a sold 20 Francs - Léopold II (heavy coarser beard)Picture 1 of a sold 20 Francs - Léopold II (heavy coarser beard)
Heritage Auctions
Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232247
Lot 64319
Internet Archive
17 Nov 2022 1870 – Morin 144; Type 1; Position A UNC
(NGC MS62)
USD 372.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 20 Francs - Léopold II (heavy coarser beard)Picture 1 of a sold 20 Francs - Léopold II (heavy coarser beard)
Heritage Auctions
Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232246
Lot 63377
Internet Archive
10 Nov 2022 1870 – Morin 144; Type 1; Position A UNC
(NGC MS62)
USD 396.00
(incl. buyer's premium)
Picture 1 of a sold 20 Francs - Léopold II (heavy coarser beard)Picture 1 of a sold 20 Francs - Léopold II (heavy coarser beard)
Heritage Auctions
Wednesday & Thursday World & Ancient Coins Select Auction 232220
Lot 63427
Internet Archive
12 May 2022 1870 – Morin 144; Type 1; Position A UNC
(PCGS MS64)
USD 397.20
(incl. buyer's premium)
See more past sales

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