Belgium 1901 50 centimes
This specimen was lot 1515 in Jean Elsen sale 154 (Brussels, March 2023), where it sold for €90 (about US$117 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BELGIQUE, Royaume, Léopold II (1865-1909), 50 centimes, 1901 FR. Au lion assis. Refrappe en argent. Tranche lisse. Léger défaut de flan au revers. Fleur de Coin. (kingdom of Belgium, Leopold II, 1865-1909, fifty centimes of 1901, French legends, with seated lion. restrike in silver, plain edge. Planchet defect on reverse, Uncirculated.)"
This coin, one of a type struck 1901 only during the reign of Leopold II (1865-1909), was struck with Walloons (dialect of French) and Flemish (dialect of Dutch) legends. The French legend type is shown here; it is not rare, tho expensive in nice condition. This is a later restrike with a plain edge. The last silver issue was in 1914, on the eve of World War One.
Recorded mintage: 3,000,000 plus restrikes.
Specification: 2.5 g, 0.835 fine silver, .067 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM 50, Bogaert 1338B3.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 154, Trouvaille de Labuissière, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2023.
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