Belgium 1987 5 ecu
This specimen was part of lot 22141 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Anaheim, CA, August 2016), which sold for $705. The catalog description[1] noted, "BELGIUM. Two Piece Proof Set, 1987. PCGS PROOF-68 & 69 DEEP CAMEO Secure Holder. Fr-427; KM-166, 167. Includes: 5 & 50 Ecu. 30th Anniversary Treaties of Rome, Charles V bust right. Nicely matched though a point different in grade. Half an ounce Troy AGW in the 50 Ecu piece. Both coins without spots, tone or fog. Mintage of 15,000 each." During the currency unification negotiations that eventually led to the euro, a coin called the ecu was proposed. The Belgian government went so far as to issue several different types 1987-97 to promote it. All were struck in precious metals, suggesting that the regime never seriously believed it would displace the Belgian franc then circulating. The euro was introduced in 1999-2002 and these coins now trade for bullion.
Recorded mintage: 985,000 plus 15,000 proofs.
Specification: 22.85 g, 0.833 fine silver, .608 troy oz ASW, 37 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM 166.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, The August 2016 Anaheim ANA Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2016.
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