View source for Belgium 1865 5 francs Dav-53

[[Image:Belgium 1865 5 francs obv JElsen 121-1082.jpg|300px|thumb|Jean Elsen sale 121, lot 1082]]
[[Image:Belgium 1865 5 francs rev JElsen 121-1082.jpg|300px|thumb]]

This specimen was lot 1082 in Jean Elsen sale 121 (Brussels, June 2014), where it sold for €120 (about US$192 including buyers' fees). The catalog description<sup>[1]</sup> noted, <blockquote>"''BELGIQUE, Royaume, Léopold II (1865-1909), AR 5 francs, 1865. Nettoyée. Beau à Très Beau.'' (kingdom of Belgium, Leopold II (1865-1909). silver five francs of 1865. Cleaned, fine to very fine.)"</blockquote> This type was struck 1865-78 in large numbers and is the commonest silver coin from Belgium of the reign. The first two years, 1865 and 1866 are very rare and priced accordingly. There is another variety with the engraver's name positioned away from the rim (KM 25) which is even rarer. Leopold II was hailed at the beginning of his reign as an enlightened, constitutional monarch, and later vilified for his activities in the Congo Free State.

''Recorded mintage:'' 3,693,000 for 1865-67 (of which nearly all were 1867).

''Specification:'' 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, .723 troy oz ASW, lettered edge.

''Catalog reference:'' Dupriez, 968, KM 24, [[Silver crowns by Davenport number|Dav-53]].

''[[Bibliography|Source:]]''
* Davenport, John S., ''European Crowns and Talers, Since 1800, 2nd Ed.,'' London: Spink & Son, 1964. 
* Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, ''Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed.'', Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019. 
* <sup>[1]</sup>Elsen, Philippe, ''Vente Publique 121,'' Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, s.a, 2014. 

''Link to:''
* [[Belgium 1858 5 francs|1858 5 francs]]
* [[Belgium 1865 5 francs Dav-51|1865 5 francs, Leopold I]]
* [[Belgium 1865 20 francs|1865 20 francs]]
* [[Belgium 1866 2 francs|1866 2 francs]]
* [[Belgium 1866 5 francs|1866 5 francs]]
* [[Coins and currency dated 1865]]
* return to coins of [[Belgium]]

[[Category:European crowns and thalers]][[Category:Selections from Jean Elsen sale 121]]