Belgium 1, 2, 5, and 10 Centimes 1811 to 1919

This is an interesting series of copper coins, Peter. I like the design, it certainly is an eye-catcher. The four denominatios addressed on this page have all the same lion, tablets, ribbons, and crown pattern, but their sizes and dates of issue are different. The non-lion side has the monogram of the ruler:

Leopold I: 1831 to 1865
Leopold II: 1865 to 1909
Albert: 1909 to 1934

The values range from a few US dollars to a several 100 US dollars, and even over $1000 for well preserved coins. But, since your coin has a hole in it, Peter, the value goes way down, to essentially zero.

For this page, we first summarize sizes and dates, then catalog values are shown further down the page, with common date coins listed first, then special, more valuable, dates. This page applies only to coins with the lion and tablets pattern shown.

1 Centime: 17 mm diameter, 1832 to 1914
2 Centimes: 22 mm diameter, 1832 to 1919
5 Centimes: 28 mm diameter, 1811 to 1861
10 Centimes: 33 mm diameter, 1832 to 1856

The secondary picture shows the large A monogram for King Albert.

Most of the dates in the series are what are known as common dates. There are a few better dates, but most coins are common. There are also quite a few special minting varieties of these coins, but such variations are beyond the ken of CoinQuest. If you have one or more of these coins in good condition, i.e., with only a little wear and no scratches, stains, spots and the like, it might be worth searching out a coin dealer or knowledgeable collector to get an accurate, first-hand appraisal, just in case you have a rare minting variety.

DO NOT CLEAN YOUR COIN. CLEANING RUINS VALUE.

Below you will find the common date catalog value for each denomination. After that, we list the better and key date values. In general, later date coins (post 1900) are worth less than early date coins. All values are catalog values for undamaged coins. Use the Terminology page to understand how to interpret 'catalog value.'

COMMON DATE COINS - approximate catalog values:

CENTIME
worn: $1 US dollar approximate catalog value
average circulated: $35
well preserved: $70
fully uncirculated: $140
coins dated after 1861 are more common and worth one-half these values
coins dated after 1900 are very common and worth one-quarter these values

2 CENTIMES
worn: $1 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $25
well preserved: $60
fully uncirculated: $100
coins dated after 1870 are more common and worth one-half these values
coins dated after 1900 are very common and worth one-third these values

5 CENTIMES
worn: $3 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $25
well preserved: $50
fully uncirculated: $120
coins dated 1837 and 1842 are common and worth one-half these values

10 CENTIMES
worn: $10 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $100
well preserved; $300
fully uncirculated: $600

BETTER DATES: CENTIME -- values are for average circulated condition

1832: $300
1837: $450
1838: $450
1841: $450
1848: $800
1855: $300
1863: $400
1883: $100

BETTER DATES: 2 CENTIMES -- values are for average circulated condition

1837: $400
1838: $350
1855: $200
no date with LII counterstamp: $900

BETTER DATES: 5 CENTIMES -- values are for average circulated condition

1811: $600 (this is an error coin actually struck in 1832)
1835: $700
1838: $300
1853: $100
1855: $300
1860: $500
1861: $800

BETTER DATES: 10 CENTIMES -- values are for average circulated condition

1835: $1200
1838: $1200
1841: $1200
1849: $2000
1856: $2000
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