1904 Belgium 10 Francs

The 1904 Belgian 10 Francs gold coin was struck from 0.900 fine gold, weighing precisely 3.225 grams, as per the Latin Monetary Union's strict standards.

This made it interchangeable with similar coins across Europe, a practical nod to international commerce rather than national pride. The obverse features a portrait of Leopold II, his features stern and unyielding, while the reverse shows the Belgian coat of arms flanked by the date and denomination.

Mintage figures for this year are murky; records from the Brussels mint were poorly kept, and some may have been lost in later wars. What we know is that production was modest, reflecting Belgium's smaller economy at the time.

It's amusing how these coins, once used for everyday transactions, now sit in vaults, their gold content still shining brightly while the world moves on to digital ledgers.