Belgian Franc - Coins

Coins

Between 1832 and 1834, copper 1, 2, 5 and 10 centime, silver ¼, ½, 1, 2 and 5 franc, and gold 20 and 40 franc coins were introduced. Some of the early 1 and 2 centimes were struck over Dutch ½ and 1 cent coins. The 40 franc was not issued after 1841, whilst silver 2½ francs and gold 10 and 25 francs were issued between 1848 and 1850. Silver 20 centimes replaced the ¼ franc in 1852. In 1860, cupro-nickel 20 centimes were introduced, followed by cupro-nickel 5 and 10 centimes in 1861. The silver 5 franc was discontinued in 1876. Between 1901 and 1908, holed, cupro-nickel 5, 10 and 25 centime coins were introduced.

In 1914, production of the 1 centime and all silver and gold coins ceased. Zinc 5, 10 and 25 centimes were introduced in the German occupied zone, followed by holed, zinc 50 centimes in 1918. Production of 2 centimes ended in 1919. In 1922 and 1923, nickel 50 centime and 1 and 2 franc coins were introduced bearing the text "Good For" ("Bon pour" in French, "Goed Voor" in Dutch). Nickel-brass replaced cupro-nickel in the 5 and 10 centimes in 1930, followed by the 25 centime in 1938. Nickel 5 and 20 francs were introduced in 1930 and 1931, respectively, followed by silver 20 francs in 1933 and 50 francs in 1939.

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. In 1948, cupro-nickel 5 francs and silver 50 and 100 francs were introduced, followed by silver 20 francs in 1949 and cupro-nickel 1 franc in 1950. Bronze 20 and 50 centimes followed in 1953 and 1952, respectively. The silver coinage ceased in 1955.

Cupro-nickel 25 centime coins replaced the 20 centime in 1964. Nickel 10 francs were introduced in 1969 (only struck until 1979), followed by bronze 20 francs in 1980 and nickel 50 francs in 1987. Aluminium-bronze replaced cupro-nickel in the 5 franc in 1986, whilst nickel-plated iron replaced cupro-nickel in the 1 franc in 1989.

Coins ceased to be convertible in 2004.

Circulating Coins
Image Value € equivalent Diameter Weight Composition Obverse Reverse First Minted Obsolete
25 centimes 0.62 cent 16 mm 2.00 g Cu : 75%
Ni : 25%		 Crown and letter B Value 1964 1980
50 centimes 1.24 cent 19 mm 2.75 g Cu : 95%
Sn : 3%
Zn : 3%		 A Miner and lamp Crown and value 1952 2002
1 franc 2.48 cent 21 mm 4.00 g Cu : 75%
Ni : 25%		 Woman's head Crown, branch and value 1950 1988
1 franc 2.48 cent 18 mm 2.75 g Fe : 94%
Ni : 6%		 King Baudouin Crown and value 1988 2002
1 franc 2.48 cent 18 mm 2.75 g Fe : 94%
Ni : 6%		 King Albert II Value 1994 2002
5 francs 12.39 cent 24 mm 6.00 g Cu : 75%
Ni : 25%		 Woman's head Crown, branch and value 1948 1988
5 francs 12.39 cent 24 mm 5.50 g Cu : 92%
Al : 6%
Ni : 2%		 King Baudouin Value 1986 2002
5 francs 12.39 cent 24 mm 5.50 g Cu : 92%
Al : 6%
Ni : 2%		 King Albert II Value 1994 2002
10 francs 24.79 cent 27 mm 8.00 g Ni : 100% King Baudouin Coat of arms of Belgium 1969 1985
20 francs 49.58 cent 25.65 mm 8.50 g Cu : 92%
Ni : 6%
Al : 2%		 King Baudouin Leaves and value 1980 2002
20 francs 49.58 cent 25.65 mm 8.50 g Cu : 92%
Ni : 6%
Al : 2%		 King Albert II Value 1994 2002
50 francs 1.24 22.75 mm 7.00 g Ni : 100% King Baudouin Value 1987 2002
50 francs 1.24 22.75 mm 7.00 g Ni : 100% King Albert II Value 1994 2002

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