Belgium 1868 50 centimes
The first specimen was lot 4106 in Goldberg sale 75 (Los Angeles, September 2013), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "Belgium. 50 Centimes, 1868. Leopold II. Rare in top grades. NGC graded AU-50." The second specimen was lot 1268 in Jean Elsen sale 150 (Brussels, March 2022), where it sold for €220 (about US$292 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"BELGIQUE, Royaume, Léopold II (1865-1909), AR 50 centimes, 1868. Très rare Nettoyé. Beau à Très Beau. (kingdom of Belgium, Leopold II, 1865-1909, silver fifty centimes of 1868, very rare, cleaned, Fine - Very Fine.)"
This type was struck for Belgium in 1866-68, 1881, 1886 and 1898-99 along with a similar type with Dutch legends (KM 27). This type is remarkably scarce despite its large mintage and this is a rare date.
Recorded mintage: 1,076,000.
Specification: 2.5 g, .835 silver, .067 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM 26, Dupriez 1099.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Goldberg, Ira, Larry Goldberg, Jason Villareal and Steven Harvey, Goldberg Sale 75: the pre-Long Beach Sale, Los Angeles: Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, 2013.
- [2]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 150: Collection J.F.L. Blankenberg, Monnaies de l'Orient Latin, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2022.
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