20 Francs, Bank of the Belgian Congo, Belgian Congo, 1912–1937 (Pick 10)

This 20 Francs note was issued in Belgian Congo by the Bank of the Belgian Congo, with dates recorded from 1912–1937. It belongs to the Franc (1908-1960) currency system. Issuing authority and period recorded in the catalogue: Albert I (1909-1934). It measures 141 × 90 mm and is printed on paper. The Standard Catalog of World Paper Money lists the type as Pick 10.

Obverse: Printing, predominantly green and yellow. Texts in French. Frame decorated with small patterns. In the center, the issuing institute “BANQUE DU CONGO BELGE” and below the value “VINGTY FRANCS” and the words “PAYABLE A VUE”. In the center, a woman, an allegory of Europe, holds a mace placed on an anvil and at her side an African woman holds an elephant's tusk. At the top left in a medallion, a profile of a European woman wearing a tiara. Below, a coat of arms containing the Congolese star in yellow. On the right, the watermark. The order number is printed twice in black. Signatures are printed in black. The article of the penal code is printed in the center on three lines under the number “20”. Its lettering reads “BANQUE DU CONGO BELGE / VINGT FRANCS / PAYABLE A VUE / 20 / LA LOI PUNIT LE CONTREFACTEUR / DES TRAVAUX FORCES”. Translation given in the catalogue: “Bank of Belgian Congo Twenty Francs Payable at sight The Law punishes the counterfeiter with forced labor.”.

Reverse: Frame with the value “20” in the corners and in larger green on the sides. On the left, the watermark. In the center, a view of the huts of a village located on the banks of the Congo River and a canoe on the water with its two passengers. In the center, in the security background, a decorated coat of arms containing the Congolese star. Texts in Dutch. Its lettering reads “BANK VAN BELGISCH CONGO / TWINTIG FRANK / BETAALBAAR OP ZICHT / DE NAMAKER WORDT DOOR DE WET MET DWANGARBEID GESTRAFT”. Translation given in the catalogue: “Bank of Belgian Congo Twenty Francs Payable at sight The Law punishes the counterfeiter with forced labor.”.

The note was printed by National Bank of Belgium Printing Works, Brussels, Belgium (1851-2020). Watermark: Elephant's head. Demonetized: Yes. Identification note: match the value, issuing bank, printed date and Pick number together; dates and signature combinations distinguish sub-varieties, which are not separated in this entry. Details follow the Numista catalogue entry and the Standard Catalog reference it cites; they have not been checked against a central-bank archive.