Belgium 1947 franc KM-127
This specimen was lot 44052 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Costa Mesa, CA, August 2021), where it sold for $1,440. The catalog description[1] noted, "BELGIUM. Franc, 1947. NGC Unc Details--Environmental Damage. Struck in zinc, with French name on left side of shield. A moderately struck Franc with charcoal surfaces and some discoloration at the peripheries, though no corrosion has taken place." King Leopold remained in Belgium during the war and his activities led to accusations of collaboration, whereupon he abdicated in 1950. This type, with the obverse legend BELGIQUE-BELGIE, was struck 1941-43 and 1947 during German occupation but the 1947 was not released. The Brussels mint also struck KM 146 (with obverse legend BELGIE-BELGIQUE) in 1942-47, which is much more available. Belgium is divided into French speaking and Flemish speaking halves, each suspiciously eying the other for attempts to exert supremacy. To appease the separatists, coins are minted in both languages. Switzerland, which has four official languages, avoids this problem by using Latin.
Recorded mintage: 3,175,000.
Specification: 4.2 g, zinc, 21.5 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-127.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The August 2021 ANA sale: World and Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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