Belgium 1901 centime
This type was struck at Brussels with French legends and with Dutch legends, the first Belgian centime so produced. The variety with Dutch legends was struck 1882, 1887, 1892-94, 1901-02 and 1907, while the French version was struck 1869-70, 1873-76, 1882-83, 1899, 1901-02 and 1907. This specimen shows the variety with the 9 punched over the 8 in the date. The second specimen was lot 1489 in Jean Elsen sale 164 (Brussels, March 2026), where it sold for €360 (about US$501 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BELGIQUE, Royaume, Léopold II (1865-1909), Cu 1 centime, 1901 NL/FR. Rare. Très Beau à Superbe. (kingdom of Belgium, Leopold II, 1865-1909, copper one centime of 1901, Dutch and French legends. Rare, Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
This enigmatic coin is a mule of a Dutch obverse (KM 34) and a French reverse (KM 33). While the SCWC mentions overdates for this year (including 1901/801 and 1901/899), this mule is not noted therein. Numista shows a similar mule but it is dated 1882 and struck in aluminum.
Reported Mintage: 3,743,000 (all varieties).
Specification: 2 g, copper, 16.5 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 33.1.
- 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 164: Monnaies du duché de Brabant et du royaume de Belgique, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.
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