Belgium 1 and 5 Francs 1948 to 1979

Sometimes these 1 and 5 franc coins from Belgium have BELGIQUE on the reverse side. Sometimes it's BELGIE. In both cases, the crowned plant divides the denomination (1 FR or 5 FR) and a cornucopia appears to the right of the profile picture on the front. The appearance of BELGIQUE or BELGIE does not affect the value; both inscriptions are equally valuable. These coins are made of copper-nickel.

In general these coins carry little value except when in pristine condition, like the one in our picture. Most coins, except those noted below, have catalog values that run like this:

1 FRANC AND 5 FRANCS MOST DATES (except as noted below)
worn: less than $1 US dollar approximate catalog value
average circulated: less than $1
well preserved: $1
fully uncirculated: $3

To find the special coins, there are a few twists. First, one date of 5 francs coin is special:

5 FRANCS 1948 (ONLY THIS DATE)
worn: $2 US dollar approximate catalog value
average circulated: $4
well preserved: $8
fully uncirculated: $20

Second, look below the neck of the man's profile. If you see a small RAU, the engraver's initials, it is a common coin and worth the amount shown above. If no RAU appears, it is more valuable as follows:

5 FRANCS 1969 AND 1975 WITHOUT ENGRAVER'S INITIALS (RAU)
worn: $1 US dollar approximate catalog value
average circulated: $2
well preserved: $3
fully uncirculated: $7

Finally, you need to understand the difference between coin alignment and medal alignment. Do this: (1) hold the coin between your thumb and forefinger, (2) align the pattern on the coin so the top of the man's head is near your forefinger and the bottom of the man's profile (the neck) is near your thumb, (3) turn the coin over like you turn a page in a book, from left to right, not from top to bottom, finally (4) look at the pattern of the leaf and crown -- if it is:

UP SIDE DOWN - you have coin alignment
RIGHT SIDE UP - you have medal alignment

Coins with coin alignment carry the low values cited above. But if you have a specimen with medal alignment, it is worth substantially more, as follows.

1 FRANC MEDAL ALIGNMENT
worn: $5 US dollar approximate catalog value
average circulated: $10
well preserved: $30
fully uncirculated: $60

5 FRANCS MEDAL ALIGNMENT
worn: $2 US dollar approximate catalog value
average circulated: $5
well preserved: $10
fully uncirculated: $30

All the values on this page are catalog values. Use our Important Terminology page to convert catalog values to actual buy and sell values.
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