Belgium 1838 franc

Jean Elsen sale 131, lot 739

This specimen was lot 739 in Jean Elsen sale 131 (Brussels, December 2016), where it sold for €360 (about US$452 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"BELGIQUE, Royaume, Léopold Ier (1831-1865), AR 1 franc, 1838. Grande étoile. Rare. Beau à Très Beau. (kingdom of Belgium, Leopold I (1831-65), silver one franc of 1838, large star. Rare, fine to very fine.)"

This type was struck 1833-44 at the Brussels mint. The specification matches the French franc of Louis Philippe. The large star variety earns a slight premium.

Recorded mintage: 525,000.

Specification: 5 g, 0.900 fine silver, .144 troy oz ASW, reeded edge.

Catalog reference: KM-7.1; Bogaert 156B.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 131, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2016.

Link to:

• 1835 franc
• 1835 20 francs
• 1838 2 centimes
• 1838 5 centimes
• 1838 ½ franc
• 1838 2 francs
• 1838 5 francs
• 1840 franc
• Coins and currency dated 1838
• return to coins of Belgium