Belgian 20 francs question
 

I recently bought an 1875 Belgian gold 20 francs at about melt.

The weight is spot on and the dimensions are right, but the color is a little less red/gold and a little more yellow than my Swiss and French francs.

Anybody know why this could be?
Could it be because of previous storage conditions?

I've heard this can also occur with K-rands. Is that true?

Re: Belgian 20 francs question
 

These coins are 835/1000 gold. The color depends of the metal used in the remaining 175/1000.

Re: Belgian 20 francs question
 

Are you sure about .835 gold?As far as I know all monetary gold is 90 to 91.6% or 22k(ducats are 23k).

http://www.cruzis-coins.com/Gold/1878.html

Re: Belgian 20 francs question
 

Sorry, my mistake....

.835 was for silver coinage, .900 is the correct value for gold coins...

Re: Belgian 20 francs question
 

As long as the weight and dimensions are spot on---

If you look at a number of Krugs spanning over a number of years, there are color variations, copper, the alloying agent does oxidize. I just spent a while reading about the Belgium coins and their intentional size, weight and gold content similarities with the contemporary French and Austrian coins. All of the coins have .1867 troy oz gold but I didn't find any discussion of alloying agents or whether they were same between the coins.

Re: Belgian 20 francs question
 

Good TRUE down-to-earth post. Copper does change the color a tad; see it in my KRUGS, EAGLES, SAINTS, LIBERTIES, and INDIANS - they are all 90% gold coins - some have copper spots too!

Re: Belgian 20 francs question
 

That's the beauty of old gold. I've got a George V sovereign (dated 1925) that's a beautiful, bright color. Then, I've got a French 20 franc from 1868 (Napoleon III) which has a rather beautiful orange-yellow.

Appreciate the variety!

Re: Belgian 20 francs question
 

Antonio,
Thanks for the link.

Interestingly enough, it says they are .900 gold and then says their composition is .9166.
I've seen this description elsewhere too, but didn't understand it..

French francs they describe as .900 gold with .900 composition.

hmmmmmmm....
damned Belgian magicians! :banghead:
Thanks for your help. :D

Re: Belgian 20 francs question
 

Geez, I thought I saw on Youtube where you got rid off all that stuff and were getting into mutual funds.
And into Hillaroid, too.
Or is that just what you told Dr. Jenkins? :D

Re: Belgian 20 francs question
 

It`s strange how 22k monetary gold is described as either 90% or 91.6% which it should be.I think some Napoleonic francs are underkarated and are probably 20k,I have a gorgeous 40 franc from 1813 and the color is different from that of a sovereign or other 22k coins.It looks more towards 18k but probably is 20k(I doubt Napoleon was that blunt as to use 18k).