Buy Belgian Gold Coins – Léopold and the Latin Monetary Union
Belgium contributes 3 gold products at CelticGold, representing the Belgian Kingdom's gold coinage tradition as a founding member of the Latin Monetary Union (1865). Belgian gold 20-franc pieces bearing the portrait of King Léopold I, II or Albert I are elegant historical collector coins that combine European numismatic heritage with VAT-exempt investment gold status.
History – Belgium's Role in the First European Currency Union
Belgium joined France, Switzerland and Italy in the Latin Monetary Union of 1865 – standardising all member nations' gold coins at 6.4516 g total weight, 900/1,000 fineness = 5.806 g fine gold. Belgian 20-franc gold pieces were fully interchangeable with French Napoléons d'or, Swiss Vreneli and Italian 20-lire gold coins.
King Léopold I (1831–1865), founder of the Belgian dynasty, and Léopold II (1865–1909) – one of Europe's most controversial monarchs, whose Congo Free State was a byword for colonial exploitation – both appear on Belgian gold coins. Albert I (1909–1934) issued the last regular Belgian gold pieces before the gold standard was abandoned.
