Belgium 1849 25 francs
This specimen was lot 1372 in Jean Elsen sale 164 (Brussels, March 2026), where it sold for €3,400 (about US$4,734 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BELGIQUE, Royaume, Léopold Ier (1831-1865), AV 25 francs, 1849. L.WIENER avec point. Petite tête. Extrêmement rare. Coups sur la tranche. Provient de notre vente 125, 13 juin 2015, 1394. Superbe. (kingdom of Belgium, Leopold I, 1831-65, gold twenty-five francs of 1849, engraver's name with period, small head. Extremely rare, rim nicks, Extremely Fine.)"
This denomination was struck 1848-50 only with this small head variety appearing only in 1848-49. In 1865, Belgium resumed striking twenty francs and this denomination was abandoned.
Recorded mintage: 149,983.
Specification: 7.91 g, 0.900 fine gold, 22 mm diameter, lettered edge.
Catalog reference: KM 13.1, Dupriez 396; Fr-405.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- 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 164: Monnaies du duché de Brabant et du royaume de Belgique, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.
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