Belgium 20 francs - Prince Charles - “Mercury” type in French 1950 - ↑↑

Belgium · 1950 · 20 francs

Circulating coinCommonVF · Very fine

€6.98estimate in VF

12,957,000coins minted

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

N1259 KM140 LABFM-171 SCHöN107 MOR516

RZReference number RZRZ-BG2QS

Circulating coin

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

The coin's story

A silver 20 francs coin of the “Mercury” series, struck from 1949 to 1955 and engraved by Marcel Rau. It dates from the Royal Question: criticised for his attitude during the occupation, King Leopold III was kept away, and the country was run from 1944 to 1950 by his brother, the Prince Regent Charles. In 1950, a referendum allowed the King's return, but it provoked strikes and riots, Leopold III delegated his powers to his son Baudouin, then abdicated in 1951. In this climate, a neutral design was chosen rather than the sovereign's portrait: Mercury, god of commerce, a symbol of the post-war economic reconstruction. Each date exists in two versions, with the French legend BELGIQUE or the Dutch legend BELGIË.

ObverseThe Head of Mercury

1950RAU

Design: The head of Mercury wearing the petasos, facing right, on the left, a caduceus surrounded by the date.
Date: 1950.
Signature: RAU.

MREngraved by Marcel Rau

ReverseThe Belgian Lion

BELGIQUELEX20F

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

MREngraved by Marcel Rau