Belgium 20 Euro 2010

This 20 Euro gold coin from Belgium in 2010 was struck to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the country's independence, a design choice that nods to the 1830 revolution with its depiction of a lion and the Belgian coat of arms.

The coin measures 22 millimeters in diameter and weighs 6.22 grams, composed of 999.9 fine gold, which reflects the Eurozone's standard for bullion issues. It was minted at the Royal Belgian Mint, though exact production figures remain unclear due to inconsistent archival records from that period.

One side shows the effigy of King Albert II, a common feature on Belgian coins of the era, while the reverse highlights the anniversary theme with symbolic elements like a liberty cap. That makes it a straightforward piece, not the enigmatic artifact some enthusiasts claim.

In handling these over the years, I've seen how myths build around gold—people swear it's cursed or lucky—but it's just metal, shaped by history and a good press.