Belgium 1911 100 francs
This specimen was lot 1048 in Jean Elsen sale 142 (Brussels, September 2019), where it sold for €68,000 (about US$88,276 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BELGIQUE, Royaume, Albert Ier (1909-1934), AV 100 francs, 1911FR, Devreese. Tranche inscrite : DIEU * PROTEGE * LA BELGIQUE *****. Pos. B. Extrêmement rare Très fines stries ("hairlines"). Fleur de Coin. (kingdom of Belgium, Albert I, 1909-34, gold hundred francs of 1911, lettered edge. extremely rare, hairlines, Uncirculated.)"
This coin, struck during the reign of Albert I of Belgium (1909-34), was struck with Walloons (dialect of French) and Flemish (dialect of Dutch) legends. The French legend type is shown here; both are extremely rare, being patterns. Belgium was thoroughly devastated during World War One and its gold coinage was terminated.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 32.26 g, 0.900 fine gold, .933 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: Dupriez -; Bogaert 1805B1; Fr-417.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- 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 142, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2019.
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