20 Francs 1943, Luxembourg
| in Krause book | Number: 42a |
| Years of issue: | 1943 |
| Edition: | |
| Signatures: | Le Ministre des Finances: Pierre Dupong (16.07.1926 - 23.12.1953) |
| Serie: | 1943 & ND (1944) "Grand Duchess Charlotte" Issue |
| Specimen of: | 1943 |
| Material: | Cotton fiber |
| Size (mm): | 151 х 84 |
| Printer: | Waterlow and Sons Limited, London |
* All pictures marked 
are increased partially by magnifying glass, the remaining open in full size by clicking on the image.
** The word "Specimen" is present only on some of electronic pictures, in accordance with banknote images publication rules of appropriate banks.
Description
Watermark:
Avers:
Charlotte (Charlotte Adelgonde Élise/Elisabeth Marie Wilhelmine; 23 January 1896 – 9 July 1985) reigned as Grand Duchess of Luxembourg from 1919 until her abdication in 1964.
She acceded to the throne on 14 January 1919 following the abdication of her sister, Marie-Adélaïde, due to political pressure. There had been controversies surrounding some of Marie-Adélaïde actions and calls for her abdication by some began to appear in parliament due to her being seen as cordial to the Germans that occupied Luxembourg during the First World War. Later, a double referendum on whether to retain the monarchy or become a republic and on the economic orientation of the country was held on 28 September 1919. In it, majority voted to retain Charlotte as grand duchess.
She married Prince Felix of Bourbon-Parma on 6 November 1919 with whom she would have six children. Following the 1940 German invasion of Luxembourg during the Second World War, Charlotte went into exile first in France, then Portugal, the United Kingdom, and North America. While in London, she began making broadcasts to the people of Luxembourg. She would return to Luxembourg in April 1945.
She abdicated in 1964 and was succeeded by her son Jean. Charlotte died from cancer on 9 July 1985. 
На Великой Герцогине Шарлотте следующие украшения:
Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaïde's Tiara, (which is known by other names too, including the Nassau Sapphire Tiara and the Grand Duchess Adelaide Tiara, take your pick) features a cushion-cut sapphire surrounded by diamonds as its removable center, with a classic diamond wreath design on either side. A top line of diamonds gives the tiara a kokoshnik feel, and it can also be worn with an additional rivière of diamonds on the bottom.
The tiara dates from about 1865-1870. It belonged to Adelheid-Marie of Anhalt-Dessau (1833-1916), who was the wife of Grand Duke Adolphe of Luxembourg. From her, the tiara began to pass down through the generations of the grand ducal family. It was associated with her granddaughter, Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaïde (1894-1924), who took the throne at the age of 17 and whose short reign did not survive the turmoil of World War I. In 1919, she abdicated in favor of her sister, Grand Duchess Charlotte (1896-1985). Charlotte also wore the tiara, mostly in her earlier years.
The tiara is part of the Hausschmuck, the grand ducal family’s trust. Like family foundations in other countries, that means the tiara is not personally owned by any single family member and will remain with the family for years to come. (orderofsplendor.blogspot.de)
Double Diamond Riviere Necklaces are the favorite of Grand Duchess Charlotte who regularly wore them fro all kinds of bejewelled occasions.The smalles of the two necklaces, which traditionally are worn together, features 35 diamonds, while the larger one consist of 45 stone, mounted in gold and silver. Originating in XIX century, may of the stonesused to create the necklace can already be found in the jewellery inventory of House of Nassau of June 1859. (www.luxarazzi.com)
Left of center is the Middle coat of arms of Luxembourg.
The coat of arms of Luxembourg has its origins in the Middle Ages and was derived from the arms of the Duchy of Limburg, in modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands. In heraldic language, the arms are described as: Barry of ten Argent and Azure, a Lion rampant queue forchée Gules crowned, armed and langued Or.
There are greater, middle and lesser versions of the coat of arms of Luxembourg. The greater coat of arms has two reguardant and crowned lions as supporters, the Dynastic Order (the Order of the Oak Crown) and all surrounded by hermine mantling crowned with a heraldic royal crown (the crown used by the Grand Duke). The middle coat of arms has the supporters, the order and the crown. The lesser coat of arms has the crown and the escutcheon without external ornaments.
On left side , vertically, are the grapes as symbol of fertility.
Denominations in numerals are in all corners. In words- centered.
Revers:
A scene on the field. Above is the lesser coat of arms of Luxembourg.
In the center is a peasant with oxes and a cart with hay, against the background of a natural landscape.
On the left - again a peasant with a sickle, next to him lie: a sheaf of wheat, and symbols of fertility - the fruit of pomegranate and grapes.
Denominations in numerals are on right side. In words at the top.
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