Catalog
| Issuer | Belgium |
|---|---|
| Year | 1866-1899 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 50 Centimes (0.50 BEF) |
| Currency | Franc (1832-2001) |
| Composition | Silver (.835) (16.5% copper) |
| Weight | 2.5 g |
| Diameter | 18 mm |
| Thickness | 1.05 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Coin alignment ↑↓ |
| Engraver(s) | Léopold Wiener |
| In circulation to | 30 July 1932 |
| Reference(s) | KM#26, LA#BFM-66 |
| Obverse description | The portrait in left profile of Leopold II of Belgium is surrounded with the legend in French. Designer below. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering |
LEOPOLD II ROI DES BELGES L WIENER (Translation: Leopold the Second, King of the Belgians) |
| Reverse description | The Belgium coat of arms divides face value. Date below, motto in French above. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering |
L`UNION FAIT LA FORCE 50 Cs 1899 (Translation: Unity Makes Strength) |
| Edge | Reeded |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
1866 - Morin 180 - 6 806 000 1867 - Morin 181 - 1 014 000 1868 - Morin 182 - 1 075 864 1881 - Morin 183 - 200 000 1881 - Morin 183a; Overdate 1881/61 - 1881 - Morin 183b; Overdate 1881/66 - 1886 - Morin 184 - 1 250 000 1886 - Morin 184a; Overdate 1886/66 - 1886 - Morin 184b; Overdate 1886/61 - 1898 - Morin 186 - 499 000 1899 - Morin 188 - 500 000 |
| Numisquare ID | 1015868170 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: The 50 Centimes coin, featuring French text, was a crucial circulating denomination during the reign of Léopold II (1865-1909), a period of significant industrial growth and colonial expansion for Belgium. Minted from 1866 to 1899, this silver piece served the daily commerce of a nation rapidly transforming into an economic power. It reflects Belgium's linguistic duality and the prominent role of French in official and commercial spheres during its "Belle Époque," a time marked by prosperity and cultural flourishing.
Artistry: The obverse portrait of Léopold II, facing right, is attributed to the renowned Belgian engraver Léopold Wiener, whose neoclassical style defined much of the era's royal coinage. Wiener's design emphasizes the monarch's dignified profile, characteristic of European numismatic art of the late 19th century. The reverse features a crowned monogram of Léopold II, flanked by the denomination "50 CENTs" and the year, encircled by a wreath of laurel and oak, symbolizing honor and strength, a common motif in heraldic coinage.
Technical/Grading: For collectors, key high-points to assess wear on the obverse include the hair above Léopold II's ear and the cheekbone. On the reverse, the details of the crown surmounting the monogram and the central veins of the wreath leaves are particularly susceptible to abrasion. Despite its small diameter (18mm), well-struck examples exhibit sharp definition, though minor planchet irregularities are occasionally observed. The .835 silver composition, while durable, can show signs of circulation readily in these delicate areas.