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50 Francs - Albert II Obverse Trial
| Issuer | Royal Mint of Belgium |
|---|---|
| Year | 1994 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 50 Francs (50 BEF) |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
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| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | The reverse is entirely blank, presenting a flat, unadorned field within a raised border rim. No design elements, legends, numerals, or devices are present, confirming this piece as a one-sided obverse trial struck solely to evaluate the portrait die. The plain surface shows the characteristic finish of a raw trial planchet, with visible handling marks and toning consistent with a nickel composition. |
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| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | 1994: ND (1994) |
| Additional information |
Trial strikes ("épreuves de frappe" in Belgian mint parlance) produced without an assigned KM number were never intended for circulation and rarely left the institutional hands they were made for — typically the mint's own archives, the issuing authority, or a small number of approved recipients. The absence of Morin and LA references here suggests this piece sits outside the standard pattern and essai classifications entirely, which is not unusual for obverse-specific trials produced mid-series to test die alignment or metal behavior before full production runs.
Albert II had only acceded to the Belgian throne in August 1993, making 1994 the first full production year requiring his portrait across the coinage. Obverse trials from inaugural portrait years carry obvious documentation value.