Coin

2½ Francs - Léopold I Small head — Belgium

Belgium • KM#11, LA#BFM-122, Mor#46, 47

2½ Francs - Léopold I Small head — Belgium

Overview

Pieces with upside down Lover L in signature exists

Specifications

Country
Belgium
Composition
Silver (.900) (10% copper)
Weight
12.5 g
Diameter
30.6 mm
Thickness
1.95 mm
Mint
Royal Mint of Belgium, Brussels, Belgium
Shape
Round
Technique
Milled
References
KM#11, LA#BFM-122, Mor#46, 47
Issuer
Belgium

Design details

Obverse

Head of King Leopold I of Belgium facing left, with sideburns. Lettering: LEOPOLD PREMIER ROI DES BELGES L. WIENER. Translation: Leopold the First, King of the Belgians.

Reverse

Crowned coat of arms of Belgium. Laurel wreath tied with a ribbon below. Lettering: L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE 2½ F. 1848. Translation: Unity makes strength.

Collector insights

  • Series context: Part of the Standard circulation coins series — collectors typically assemble full-year date runs, so single years within an established series carry demand beyond raw mintage.
  • Struck at: Royal Mint of Belgium, Brussels, Belgium. Confirm the mintmark on your example before comparing prices — same-year issues from different mints often trade at very different levels.
  • Mintage vs. survival: A moderate mintage of 1,201,707. Grade rarity is usually the driver of value here — mid-grade circulated pieces are common, but original-surface uncirculated coins can command a strong premium.
  • Precious metal content: Silver (.900) (10% copper) — bullion value provides a price floor, and many circulated examples were melted during the 1979–1980 and post-2010 silver spikes, reducing the surviving population.
  • Catalogue reference: Listed as KM#11, LA#BFM-122, Mor#46, 47. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.

Curator Insights

Historical context

During the period of 1848 to 1849, Belgium issued the 2½ Francs denomination as part of the initial silver coinage system under Leopold I. This era followed the European revolutions of 1848, during which the Belgian monarchy maintained stability while expanding its national currency. The production at the Royal Mint of Belgium in Brussels established the Franc as a reliable European trade currency.

Design heritage

The obverse features the portrait of King Leopold I facing left, characterized by his prominent sideburns and the signature of the engraver Leopold Wiener. The reverse displays the Belgian coat of arms, crowned and encircled by a laurel wreath, representing the national motto regarding the strength of unity. These motifs are characteristic of the neoclassical style prevalent in mid-19th-century European minting.

Varieties and technical notes

This milled coinage features a reeded edge and was produced with typical mid-19th-century machinery. Collectors should examine the placement of the mint mark and the clarity of the designer's signature on the obverse. Variations in strike quality are common for this period, particularly regarding the detail in the laurel wreath ribbons and the crown on the reverse.

Survival and modern availability

With a total mintage of 1,201,707 across the two-year period, this denomination saw significant circulation throughout the mid-1800s. While many examples were lost to heavy wear or subsequent silver recalls, mid-grade pieces remain accessible to collectors of Belgian numismatics. High-grade specimens are increasingly scarce due to the soft nature of the .900 silver alloy and the lack of protected storage for early national issues.

More from Belgium

Other 2½ Francs - Léopold I Small head issues

Explore more

Browse more items in the full catalog or view Belgium in the country guide.