Belgium 1873 5 francs
The first specimen was lot 23216 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (Newport Beach, CA, January 2021), where it sold for $132. The catalog description[1] noted, "BELGIUM. 5 Francs, 1873. Brussels Mint. Leopold II. NGC MS-63. "Position A" edge variety. This mostly light gray, argent crown features a good deal of shimmering brilliance, though there is some mottled burnished toning in a few areas of the reverse." This type was struck 1865-78 in large numbers and is the commonest silver coin from Belgium of the reign. The first two years, 1865 and 1866 are very rare and priced accordingly. 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: 22,341,000, an uncommon date.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, lettered edge.
Catalog reference: KM-24, 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 January 2021 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Oro del Nuevo Mundo and Matt Orsini Collections, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.
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