Belgian Gold Coins of Albert I 1909 - 1934 Albert I of Belgium reigned from 1909 to 1934. The only gold coins for Albert were issued in 1914, although there are four different types of this date. We buy and sell Belgian gold 20 francs (franks) and other gold coins.

Technical Specifications

Notes on Table
Weight = Weight in grams.
Gold Content = Fine gold content in troy ounces.

Description of Albert I 20 Francs
Obverse
Portrait head of King Albert I facing left, in military uniform. There are two possible legends (inscriptions), one in French, one in Flemish:-
(French) ALBERT ROI DES BELGES
(Flemish) ALBERT KONING DER BELGEN
To the lower left of the portrait are the engraver's initials G O.V.

Reverse
Belgian coat of arms, a lion in a keystone-shaped shield draped in an ermine cape topped by a crown.
the inscription reads:
20   F.
19   14
We don't know whether Stanley Holloway collected coins, or ever saw one of these coins, but presume he would have been amused to see it featured Albert and the Lion!

Edge
The edge has raised 5-pointed stars with the raised lettering, and there are two languages used which always correspond with the language used on the main legends:-
(French) DIEU PROTEGE LA BELGIQUE
(Flemish) GOD BESCHERME BELGIE
We are not aware of any error varieties with mixed French and Flemish inscriptions, but if any were discovered, they would presumably command great interest among Belgian numismatists.

Position A and Position B
No, nothing to do with sexual orientation in Belgium, but the orientation of the edge lettering. To explain:
Position A = With the obverse (head) side facing downwards, the lettering is upright.
Position B = With the obverse (head) side facing upwards, the lettering is upright.
Apparently many Belgian collectors ascribe some importance to this, and for some coin issues one position is rarer than the other, and commands a price premium.
For this particular coin, the position B coins are both scarcer than the two position B types, the French language one being quite rare.

Single Date Types For most coins, there are many different dates for each different design, however some coin designs, for various reasons, were only produced in one single year. These coins tend to be in greater demand than would be expected for their mintage because they are collected by type collectors in addition to date collectors. In the case of this 1914 Belgian 20 Francs, it is a four type single date!

Prices & Availability

Quantity Purchases For investors or collectors wishing to buy 20 Francs in quantity of 10 pieces or more, we can usually quote very competitive bullion rates on request.

Postage & Packing
UK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £9 per order
EU Insured Post £10 per order
USA Airmail $10 per order
USA Insured Shipping by Fedex $40 per order

Belgian Silver and Base Metal Coins
For silver and base metal coins of Belgium, please look at our original Chard Coins website.

Coins Wanted We make an active market in almost all world coins, gold or otherwise, including Belgian gold coins, whether listed on this page or not. If you have any of these coins to sell, please contact us, or post them to us for appraisal and offer.