Belgium 1844 5 francs
This specimen was lot 1503 in Jean Elsen sale 115 (Brussels, December 2012) where it sold for €240 (about US$366 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BELGIQUE, Royaume, Léopold Ier (1831-1865), AR 5 francs, 1844, Pos. A. Rare. Nettoyée. Beau à Très Beau. (kingdom of Belgium, Leopold I (1831-65), silver five francs of 1844. Position A. Rare, cleaned, fine to very fine.)"
This type was struck 1832-44 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: 483,000.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, .723 troy oz ASW, lettered edge.
Catalog reference: Bogaert-206A, Dav-50, KM 3.1.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 115: Collection Huntington, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2012.
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