50 Belgian ECU
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Product features
| Buying premium | -2.00 |
|---|---|
| Selling premium | 2% |
| Pure weight | 15.55 |
| Purity | 900/1.000 - 21,6 carat |
| Dimensions | 29,00 mm x 1,80 mm |
| Manufacturer | Royal Mint of Belgium |
| Packaging | The 50 Belgian ECU is packed in a plastic coin pouch |
| Certificate | More info coming soon |
Detailed product description
The 50 Belgian ECU (European Currency Unit) is a gold investment coin minted in 21,6 carat gold with a pure gold content of exactly half an ounce, namely 15,55 grams. The ECU was first issued when European Monetary Union came into existence, making it very popular not only with investors but also numismatists.
The gold 50 Belgian ECU
In the late 1970s, the idea was put forward by the countries of the then European Community to create a single currency. As a result, on March 13, 1979, the āEuropean Currency Unitā - āECUā - was introduced as a predecessor to the euro. The ECU was a ābasketted coinā in which the different currencies of the then European Member States were merged and the economic strength of each state determined the share of its currency within the new single coin.
The original composition of the ECU in 1979 consisted of the German mark, the French franc, the British pound, the Italian lira, the Dutch guilder, the Belgian franc, the Danish krone, the Irish pound and the Luxembourg franc. In 1984 the Greek drachma was included in the ECU and in 1989 the Spanish peseta and the Portuguese escudo also joined. Ultimately, on 1 January 1999, the euro replaced the ECU, with 1 euro worth about 1 ECU.
Although the ECU has never been a legal tender - unlike the euro with real banknotes and coins - there are many countries, including Belgium, who minted coins (actually medallions) between 1987 and 1999 bearing the name āECUā as a commemoration of these first steps towards a Monetary Union in Europe.
Purity & weight
The Belgian gold 50 ECU comes in two different versions. The 50 ECU minted between 1987 and 1988 has a purity of 900/1.000 (21,6 carats), weighs gross 17,28 grams and has a net weight of 15,55 grams, or 1/2 troy ounce. From 1989 the Belgian gold ECU was minted with a purity of 999,9/1.000 (24 carats) and weighed 15,55 grams, 1/2 troy ounce, both gross and net. Both variations therefore contain the same amount of pure gold.
Dessign of gold 50 Belgian ECU
The Belgian 50 ECU has different designs depending on the year of issue. Argentor mainly sells 50 Belgian ECU coins from 1987. On the front you see an image of Emperor Charles V looking to the right. The countries he ruled in the 16th century AD together, formed the largest European empire since Charlemagne's. Surrounding his portrait is in Latin ā CAROLVS. D. G. ROM. IMP. HISP. REX. DVX. BVRG. C. F. ā which means āKarel, by the grace of God, Roman emperor, king of Spain, duke of Burgundy and Brabant and count of Flandersā.
On the reverse, the nominal value - 50 ECU - of the coin is displayed along with the year of issue. The 12 stars around it symbolize the 12 founding countries of the European Monetary Union. Finally, you will find the country of origin of the currency in the three national languages - Dutch, French and German; Belgium, Belgique and Belgien respectively.
Buying a gold 50 Belgian ECU
The 50 Belgian ECU and other gold coins are perfectly suitable as a purchase of physical gold. Gold coins are not taxed because they are considered monetary gold. And while all the gold coins offered by Argentor have been tested for authenticity, they are not delivered with a certificate of authenticity. That, unlike gold bars.
Selling a gold Belgian 50 ECU
You are more than welcome in our office to sell your gold 50 ECU coin(s). You needn't make an appointment to do so.
Our buying prices are adapted every minute to the gold actual rate and will be hedged once you present your coin(s) in our office. You can always check our live buying prices on this page.
Kiyoh
Argentor Essayeurs
Reviewed with a score of 90% / 100% based on 1910 reviews
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