Luxembourg 20 francs 1946 proof - 600th anniversary of the death of John the Blind

The coin's story

This silver 20 francs coin commemorates the 600th anniversary of the death of John the Blind, Count of Luxembourg and King of Bohemia, killed at the Battle of Crécy on 26 August 1346. Although blind, he asked to take part in the fighting and had his horse tied to those of his companions, who were found dead beside him the next day. On 26 August 1946, his remains were transferred from Kastel-Staadt to the crypt of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Luxembourg. According to legend, the Prince of Wales, Edward of Woodstock, impressed by his bravery, adopted his motto “Serviam” and his crest to create his emblem of three ostrich feathers. The obverse shows Hereditary Prince Jean, the future Grand Duke, appearing here on a coin for the first time. Issued by a grand-ducal decree of 29 September 1947 for an amount of 2 million francs, engraved by Armand Bonnetain and struck in Brussels, it has 100,000 standard pieces and 100 in proof, plus 2,000 restrikes of 1964 in lower relief that keep the 1946 date.