Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 20 Francs 1933-1934, KM# 104, Belgium, Albert I
  • 20 Francs 1933-1934, KM# 104, Belgium, Albert I
Description

Albert I (1875–1934) reigned as King of the Belgians from 1909 to 1934. This was an eventful period in the History of Belgium, which included the period of World War I (1914–1918), when 90 percent of Belgium was overrun, occupied, and ruled by the German Empire. Other crucial issues included the adoption of the Treaty of Versailles, the ruling of the Belgian Congo as an overseas possession of the Kingdom of Belgium along with the League of Nations mandate of Ruanda-Urundi, the reconstruction of Belgium following the war, and the first five years of the Great Depression (1929–1934). King Albert died in a mountaineering accident in eastern Belgium in 1934, at the age of 58, and he was succeeded by his son Leopold.

Engraver: Godefroid Devreese

Obverse

Depicts the portrait of Albert I of Belgium (left) surrounded by the Dutch legend "Albert King of the Belgians". Engraver's name below.

·ALBERT·KONING· ·DER·BELGEN·
DEVREESE

Reverse

Depicts the Middle version of the Coat of arms of Belgium dividing denomination, engraver's initials and date below.

The Middle coat of arms consists of the shield, the royal crown, the crossed sceptres, the collar of the Order of Leopold. The shield bears a lion known as Leo Belgicus (Latin: the Belgian lion). Behind the shield are placed a hand of justice and a sceptre with a lion. The grand collar of the Order of Leopold surrounds the shield.

20 FR
G.D
19 34

Edge

Position A: value facing up, the text is readable
Position B: value facing up, the text is not readable

BELGIQUE = BELGIE =

20 Francs

Dutch Text
KM# 104 Schön# 57 LA# BFM-168
Characteristics
Material Silver
Fineness 0.680
Weight 11 g
Diameter 28 mm
Thickness 1.9 mm
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Alt # KM# 104.1, KM# 104.2
Mint
Royal Belgian Mint

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French Text

Nickel, 20 g, ⌀ 37 mm
Dutch Text

Nickel, 20 g, ⌀ 37 mm
French Text

Silver, 11 g, ⌀ 28 mm