Belgian Congo 1949 franc

Stack's Bowers November 2023 Collector's Choice sale, lot 73125

This specimen was lot 73125 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, November 2023), where it sold for $168. The catalog description^[1] noted, "BELGIAN CONGO. Franc, 1949. Pretoria Mint. Leopold III. PCGS MS-65. Tied for the finest certified example, this specimen delivers wonderful eye appeal and much allure." Several patterns exist for this type, which was also struck 1944 and 1946. The design also appears on brass two and five franc pieces of 1944-49.

Recorded mintage: 15,000,000.

Specification: 2.48 g, brass, 19.2 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM-26.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, November 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancient & World Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.

Link to:

• 1944 50 francs
• 1946 franc
• 1947 2 francs
• 1947 5 francs
• 1952 5 francs
• Coins and currency dated 1949