Belgium 1869 5 francs
The first specimen was lot 22277 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2019), where it sold for $240. The catalog description[1] noted, "BELGIUM. 5 Francs, 1869. Brussels Mint. Leopold II. PCGS MS-63 Gold Shield. Showcasing booming luster with attractive red-gold toning near the rim." The second specimen was lot 30065 in Heritage sale 3089 (Dallas, TX, January 2021), where it sold for $1,680. The catalog description[2] noted, "Belgium. Leopold II 5 Francs 1869 MS66 PCGS, Brussels mint. Truly excellent for the type, with only the lightest traces of contact evident over carefully preserved surfaces. Fully struck, with all devices clearly outlined against the surrounding features. From the Cape Coral Collection of European Crowns." This type was struck 1865-78 in large numbers and is the commonest silver coin from Belgium of the reign. A rare variety with the engraver's name positioned away from the rim (KM 25) exists. Leopold II was hailed at the beginning of his reign as an enlightened, constitutional monarch, and later vilified for his activities in the Congo Free State.
Recorded mintage: 12,658,000.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, .723 troy oz ASW, lettered edge.
Catalog reference: KM-24; Dupriez-1105, Dav-53.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The August 2019 Chicago ANA Auction: World Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2019.
- [2]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage Auction 3089: NYINC World & Ancient Coins Platinum & Signature Auction - Dallas, featuring the Cape Coral Collection of European Crowns and the Penn Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2020.
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