Belgium 1950 50 frank

formerly in the Mountain Groan Collection

This type was struck at the Brussels mint 1948-54 with French legends (KM 136.1) and Flemish legends (KM 137, shown here). As Belgium is about evenly divided between the two languages, that is the government's answer to local regionalism. The French legend coin dated 1950 is very rare. Fifty franc pieces were struck to this standard until 1960 and then a nickel coin was introduced in 1987. Interestingly, the coin bears no reference to king Leopold III, whose unpopularity forced him to abdicate in 1950. His successor, Baudouin, ruled 1951-93.

Recorded mintage: 4,110,000.

Specification: 12.5 g, 0.835 fine silver, .335 troy oz ASW.

Catalog reference: KM 137.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.

Link to:

• 1940 50 francs
• 1947 5 frank, zinc, Flemish legends
• 1949 5 frank, Dutch legend
• 1949 5 francs, French legend
• 1950 franc, French legend
• 1950 5 frank, Dutch legend
• 1950 5 francs, French legend
• 1955 20 francs
• 1958 50 francs, Brussels World's Fair
• Coins and currency dated 1950
• return to coins of Belgium