1962 Belgium 20 Francs

The 1962 Belgian 20 Francs coin was struck to commemorate the independence of the Belgian Congo, which had become the Democratic Republic of the Congo two years earlier.

This silver piece, minted in Brussels, features a simple design with a palm tree on the reverse, reflecting the colony's economic reliance on such exports. No official records specify the exact number produced, though estimates suggest it was a modest run for circulation.

The obverse shows King Baudouin's portrait, a standard for Belgian coins of the era, but here it underscores the monarchy's role in the handover. Some variants show minor die variations, which can intrigue specialists.

If you handle one, note the edge reeding is unusually fine, a detail that wear reveals quickly.

Collectors sometimes confuse it with earlier francs, assuming every old coin has a dramatic story.