The stock of the National Bank can therefore effectively be mobilized. As proof, before the Second World War, Belgium had more than double this reserve: 600 tonnes of gold.
In 1939, Belgium was neutral. However, it is not insensitive to German threats: a first part of our tons of gold will leave by boat to Great Britain and the United States. Later, a few days before the invasion in May 1940, another boat left Ostend with some 5,000 sealed boxes of gold. Direction French Africa with the agreement of the Paris government, which ensures the guarantee of restitution. Bad luck, Germany occupies France, Vichy surrenders and actively collaborates with part of its African colonies such as French Sudan where the Belgian gold is located, which is seized and goes back to Berlin. After the war, liberated France will honor its word and reimburse Belgium.
Since then, our national gold has been stored largely in London, kept at what we are told is an ideal temperature and humidity. Another part is in Canada. Finally, a few hundred kilos are in Belgium if it comes to the idea of melting it down, as was done at the time, to issue a few gold coins. Pure speculation, if I may, to perhaps honor the bicentenary of Belgium in 2030?
Not sure, it seems that this ancestral habit has lost its luster.
