Belgium 1880 5 francs Dav-54
The first specimen was lot 856 in Jean Elsen sale 124 (Brussels, March 2015), where it sold for €300 (about US$374 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BELGIQUE, Royaume, Léopold II (1865-1909), AR 5 francs, 1880, Cinquantenaire de l'indépendance. 15 rayons à g. de la colonne, touchant le bord. presque Fleur de Coin. (kingdom of Belgium, Leopold II (1865-1909), silver five francs of 1880, on the fiftieth anniversary of independence, with 15 rays to the left of the column touching the edge. Almost uncirculated.)
The second specimen was lot 1532 in Jean Elsen sale 160 (Brussels, November 2024), where it did not sell. The catalog description[2] noted,
"BELGIQUE, Royaume, Léopold II (1865-1909), module de 10 centimes, 1880. 10 rayons. Bronze clair. Tranche lisse. Frappe médaille. Fleur de Coin. (kingdom of Belgium Leopold II, 1865-1909, module of ten centimes, ten rays. Light bronze, plain edge, medal alignment. Uncirculated.)"
This type was struck 1880 at the Brussels mint. The issue of five francs for circulation ended in 1876; the SCWC calls this a medal but Davenport includes it. One and two francs were also issued on this occasion; these are undoubtedly coins. We will let the collector decide.
Recorded mintage: 6,714 in silver plus 28,000 in copper.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, .724 troy oz ASW, 37 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM X8 (silver), KM X8a (copper), KM X8b (gold), Dav-54, Dupriez, 1217.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 124, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2015.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Unusual World Coins, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011..
- [2]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 160, Collection de deniers liegeois et Collection de monnaies d'or francaises, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
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