Issuer Belgium
King Leopold II (1865-1909)
Type Standard circulation coin
Years 1886-1887
Value 1 Franc (1 BEF)
Currency Franc (1832-2001)
Composition Silver (.835) (16.5% copper)
Weight 5 g
Diameter 23 mm
Thickness 1.3 mm
Shape Round
Technique Milled
The Belgian franc (Dutch: Belgische frank, French: Franc belge, German: Belgischer Franken) was the currency of the Kingdom of Belgium from 1832 until 2002 when the Euro was introduced. It was subdivided into 100 subunits, known as centiem (Dutch), centimes (French) or Centime (German).
Interesting Fact:
As a consequence of the German occupation in 1940, the silver coinage was discontinued. In 1941, zinc replaced all other metals in the 5, 10 and 25 centimes, and 1 and 5 francs. In 1944 the Allies minted 25 million 2 franc coins at the Philadelphia Mint using leftover planchets for the 1943 steel cent.