Belgium 1833 5 francs
This specimen was lot 1330 in Jean Elsen sale 119 (Brussels, December 2013), where it sold for 1,100 euro (about US$1,779 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BELGIQUE, Royaume, Léopold Ier (1831-1865), AR 5 francs, 1833, Pos. B. Provient de la collection Symkens. Petits coups. Provient de la collection Symkens. Superbe à Fleur de Coin. (kingdom of Belgium, Leopold I (1831-65), silver five francs of 1833, rim position B. From the Symkens collection, small nicks, extremely fine to uncirculated.)"
This type was struck 1832-35, 1838, 1840-41, 1844 and was the first Belgian five francs issued after obtaining independence from the Netherlands in 1830. As this type comes with a lettered edge, the edge lettering comes in two positions; position A has the lettering facing the reverse and position B has the lettering facing the obverse.
Recorded mintage: 1,126,000 (highest mintage date).
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, .723 troy oz ASW, lettered edge.
Catalog reference: Bogaert, 27B, Dav-50, KM 3.1.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 119, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2013.
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