Belgium 1833 franc
The first specimen was lot 13025 in Ponterio sale 177 (Chicago, August 2013), where it sold for $3,819. The catalog description[1] noted, "BELGIUM. Franc, 1833. NGC PROOF-67. Coin alignment. Toned with cobalt, rose and russet highlights." The second specimen was lot 1799 in Jean Elsen sale 162 (Brussels, June 2025), where it sold for €95 (about US$132 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"BELGIQUE, Royaume, Léopold Ier (1831-1865), AR 1 franc, 1833. Rare. Griffes. Nettoyé. (kingdom of Belgium, Leopold I, 1831-65, silver one franc of 1833. Rare, scratches, cleaned, Fine - Very Fine.)"
This type was struck 1833-44 at the Brussels mint. The specification matches the French franc of Louis Philippe.
Recorded mintage: 61,000 (rare date).
Specification: 5 g, 0.900 fine silver, .144 troy oz ASW, reeded edge.
Catalog reference: KM-7.1; Eeckhout-NFB-84; Dupriez 33.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, Ponterio sale 177: The August 2013 Chicago ANA Auction, World Coins, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers, LLC, 2013.
- [2]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 162: Collection Jacques Druart, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
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