BELGIUM LEOPOLD II 20 FRANC GOLD UNC. COIN 1874 Minted 1867-1882, actual Gold Content is .1867 troy oz Start Price USD 225.00 Current Price USD 225.00 Time Left 6 days 11 hours 57 minutes Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, November 16, 2008 End Time Thursday, January 15, 2009 Location Alabama, Heart of Dixie See more about 'BELGIUM LEOPOLD II 20 FRANC GOLD UNC. COIN 1874' Description This is a Belgium Leopold II 20 franc Gold Coin minted in 1874.  Considered the 2nd type of this coin minted (1870 to 1882).  Dates from 1867 to 1869 can only be first type, while dates from 1871 onwards can only be second type. 1870 occurs in both types, in which case the shape of the neck truncation is the easiest way to identify the different types. Belgium Leopold II 20 franc gold coinMinted 1867 - 1882Fineness: .900Actual Gold Content: .1867 troy ounce Belgian Gold Coins of Leopold II 1865 - 1909Leopold II of Belgium reigned from 1865 to 1909. Gold coins were issued from 1867 to 1882 Technical Specifications Denomination Diameter Weight Fineness Gold Content 20 Francs 21.5 6.4516 grams .900 .1867 Description of Leopold II 20 Francs Gold Coins TOTAL OF 3,046,000 GOLD 20 FRANCS MINTED IN 1874 ObverseBare head of King Leopold II facing right, with the inscriptionLEOPOLD PREMIER ROI DES BELGESUnder the head are the engraver's initials L W, and the date.Interestingly on the last issue, 1865, of Leopold I, the engraver managed to mis-spell his own name as L. Winner instead of L. Wiener, perhaps this is why it was decided that he would shorten this to his initial only.The first type was issued from 1867 to 1870 inclusive, and the second type from 1870 to 1882 inclusive. On the second type, there is a redesigned portrait, he is shown with a slightly longer but coarser beard (it had obviously had longer to grow!) a different shaped truncation at the neck, and other small differences including larger lettering and date numerals. Dates from 1867 to 1869 can only be first type, while dates from 1871 onwards can only be second type. 1870 occurs in both types, in which case the shape of the neck truncation is the easiest way to identify the different types. ReverseBelgian coat of arms, a lion in a circular shield draped in an ermine cape topped by a crown.the inscription reads:L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE20 FR EdgeThe edge has raised 5-pointed stars with the raised lettering:-DIEU PROTEGE LA BELGIQUE Position A and Position BTheses positions deal with orientation of the edge lettering: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. Leopold II ruled Belgium from 1869 until his death in 1909. Leopold believed that establishing overseas colonies was the key to a country's success, and he worked tirelessly to acquire colonial territory on the behalf of Belgium. Receiving little support from the Belgian government or the Belgian people, Leopold formed a private holding company to pursue his colonial interests. In 1879, Leopold hired the famous explorer Henry Morton Stanley to establish a colony in the Congo region of Africa. At the Berlin Conference in 1885, representatives from the United States and European countries recognized Leopold as sovereign of the Congo Free State, an area roughly 75 times the size of Belgium. History does not look kindly on Leopold's actions from this point forward, as the King exploited horribly both the people and the land in the Congo region. Though he generated substantial personal wealth through the procurement of rubber and ivory, the Belgian parliament ultimately forced him to cede the land to his country in 1908. The obverse shows Leopold II facing right. On the reverse is the Belgian coat of arms, and the inscription, "L' Union Fait La Force" or "The Union Makes Strength". Shipping & Insurance: Shipping in the USA is by Priority Mail Fully Insured is Free. . International buyers please email for shipping cost. I will accept a US Postal Money Order or a cashiers check on a bank within the USA. International bidder can send a cashiers check/official bank check on a International bank with a US Associate Bank. International Bank Wires accept with an additonal fee of $17.00. I will also accept cash in Registered Mail. I will also accept a W.U. Money Order. I will only ship to countries where it is legal to import gold coins. Please view my eBay store for more great items. Thank you. Place a Bid!