20-franc Prince Charles - Mercury type in Dutch

Belgium · 1949 · 20 frank

Circulating coinUncommon

€8.10estimate

5,545,000coins minted

€9.92silver value · 6.68 g fine at today’s price

N7285 KM141 LABFM-172 SCHöN100 MOR517-519

RZReference number RZRZ-3DFBV

Circulating coin

Series of 20 francs of the Mercury type (1949-1955)

The coin's story

This 20 francs coin in 835 thousandths silver belongs to the series of the Mercury type, struck from 1949 to 1955. It was created under the regency of Prince Charles, brother of Leopold III, elected regent on 20 September 1944 during the Royal Question, and continued to be struck under King Baudouin. Instead of a royal portrait, it bears the head of Mercury, god of commerce, and the Belgian lion resting on the tablet of the law marked LEX. Both sides are the work of Marcel Rau, a Brussels sculptor and medallist trained at the Brussels Academy under Charles Van der Stappen. The coin exists in a French version and a Dutch version, this one bears the word BELGIE. The 1949 date was struck in 5,545,000 pieces, and the coin was demonetised on 22 February 1974.

ObverseThe Head of Mercury

1949RAU

Design: The head of Mercury wearing the petasos, facing right, on the left, a caduceus surrounded by the date.
Date: 1949.
Signature: RAU.

MREngraved by Marcel Rau

ReverseThe Belgian Lion

BELGIE20F

Design: The Belgian lion standing, resting on the tablet of the law bearing the Latin word LEX (the law), above the value.
Legend: BELGIE (Belgium, in Dutch).
Denomination: 20 F.

MREngraved by Marcel Rau