The 20 Francs gold coin was so popular throughout Europe that other nations issued the gold coin with France’s official currency. Belgium was one of many nations that used the Franc as a base face value. King Leopold II of Belgium featured most prominently on the 20 Francs Belgium Gold Coins.
King Leopold II was the longest-reigning Belgian monarch. Leopold II was born in 1835 to King Leopold I, the first monarch of the Kingdom of Belgium. He was the second son, but eldest surviving son and succeeded his father to the throne in 1865. He would rule from 1865 to 1909, a reign of 44 years that made him the longest-reigning monarch of his kingdom.
The 20 Francs Gold Coin from Belgium was first issued in 1867 by the Royal Mint of Belgium two years into the reign of Leopold II. For the first three years of issue, the coins had a right-profile portrait of Leopold II with a bare head. It was issued from 1867 to early 1870 when a redesigned image of Leopold II was issued on coins. 20 Francs Belgium Gold Coins from 1870 could feature either of these portraits.
On the obverse of the 20 Francs Belgian Gold Coin is the right-profile portrait of King Leopold II of Belgium. The younger portrait of him from 1867 to 1870 featured the king with a bare head. The 1870 to 1882 coins had an older, more refined portrait of King Leopold II with a longer, scruffy beard.
The reverse of the 20 Francs Gold Coins from Belgium features the Belgian coat of arms. The seal includes a lion in a circular shield that is draped in a cape that is topped with a royal crown. The face value of the coins is also engraved on this side.
