Belgium 1856 40 francs
This specimen was lot 1066 in Sincona sale 66 (Zürich, October 2020), where it sold for 38,000 CHF (about US$50,027 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BELGIUM | Königreich, Leopold I. 1831-1865. 40 Francs 1856, Bruxelles. Auf sein 25-jähriges Regierungsjubiläum. Sitzende, gekrönte Stadtgöttin von Brüssel nach links, in der linken Hand Zepter mit der Hand der Gerechtigkeit, in der erhobenen Rechten Palmzweig, links Leopold-Säule. Rv. XXV : / ANNIVERSAIRE / DE / L'INAUGURATION / DU ROI, in Lorbeerzweigen. Von grosser Seltenheit. Zweites bekanntes Exemplar im Handel. (kingdom of Belgium, Leopold I, 1831-65, forty francs of 1856, Brussels mint, on the 25th anniversary of his reign. Seated and crowned figure of Belgium to left, holding scepter, palm branch and laurel wreath, facing a bust of the king. Of highest rarity. The second known piece on market. PCGS MS65.)"
A copper five centimes and silver two francs were issued on this occasion using this design. All are consigned to the Unusual World Coins as medallic coinage. Restrikes exist.
Recorded mintage: 449.
Specification: 12.90 g, 0.900 fine gold, .373 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: KM-X9, Vanhoudt/Saunders 546, Schl. 39, Fr-410.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Unusual World Coins, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- 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.
- [1]Jürg Richter, Auction 66, Gold and Silver Coins and Medals, featuring the Claude Stritt Collection, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2020.
Link to:
- 1841 40 francs
- 1856 centime
- 1856 5 centimes, 25th anniversary of the reign, French legends
- 1856 5 centimes, 25th anniversary of the reign, Flemish legends
- 1856 5 centimes, regular issue
- 1856 2 francs, 25th anniversary of the reign, French legends
- 1856 2 frank, 25th anniversary of the reign, Flemish legends
- Coins and currency dated 1856