ECU - EMU - Euro
The écu was a historic coin type in Europe, and when the EEC or European Economic Community was moving towards a single currency, the ECU was devised as the first European currency unit . Because its initials E.C.U. formed the acronym ECU, this was a rather neat name for the new unit. A few countries issued ECU coins, as pattern or commemorative issues, including Belgium. E.M.U. stands for European Monetary Union. Later the E.E.C. changed to the E.C. and still later to the E.U. Eventually the Euro came into existence, but the ECU was one of its ancestors.

Belgian Gold ECU Issues
Belgium has issued ECU denominated coins in five different denomination, 10, 20, 25, 50, and 100 ECUs, and on about a dozen different occasions.

Description
We have illustrated a 50 ECU gold proof coin from 1995. This was to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United Nations in 1945.
The obverse has a three-quarters facing portrait which we believe is King Albert II, with the inscriptions: 50 ECU 1995 Belgique - België - Belgien.
The reverse shows the United Nations logo and the inscriptions: 50 1945 1995. the edge is plain.

Technical Specifications

Denomination	Diameter	Weight	Fineness	Gold Content
50 Ecus	29	17.15	.900	.4963

Notes on Table
Weight = Weight in grams.
Gold Content = Fine gold content in troy ounces.

Prices & Availability

Date	Denomination	Description	Grade	Mintage	Availability	Price £	Price $
1987	50 Ecus	30th Anniversaries Treaties of Rome	about Unc	1.502,000	Ask	£150	$240
1995	50 Ecus	United Nations 50th Anniversary	Proof, about FDC	2,500	Yes	£225	$416

Postage & Packing
UK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £6 per order
EU Insured Post £10 per order
USA Airmail $10 per order
USA Insured Shipping by Fedex $40 per order

Belgian Silver and Base Metal Coins
For silver and base metal coins of Belgium, please look at our original Chard Coins website.

Coins Wanted
We make an active market in almost all world coins, gold or otherwise, including Belgian gold coins, whether listed on this page or not. If you have any of these coins to sell, please contact us, or post them to us for appraisal and offer.