50 francs - Prince Charles - type Mercury in Dutch

Belgium · 1954 · 50 francs

Circulating coinUncommonUNC · Uncirculated

€10.84estimate in UNC

2,978,000coins minted

€15.62silver value · 10.44 g fine at today’s price

N1871 KM137 LABFM-186 SCHöN101 MOR510-512

RZReference number RZRZ-QSDE3

Circulating coin

Series of 50 francs of the Mercury type (1948-1954)

The coin's story

This 50 francs coin in 835 thousandths silver belongs to the series of the Mercury type, struck from 1948 to 1954. It was created under the regency of Prince Charles, brother of Leopold III, elected regent on 20 September 1944 during the Royal Question, and continued to be struck under King Baudouin. Instead of a royal portrait, it bears the head of Mercury, god of commerce, and the Belgian lion resting on the tablet of the law marked LEX. Both sides are the work of Marcel Rau, a Brussels sculptor and medallist trained at the Brussels Academy under Charles Van der Stappen. The coin exists in a French version and a Dutch version, this one bears the word BELGIE. The 1954 date was struck in 2,978,000 pieces, and the coin was demonetised on 13 June 1969.

ObverseThe Head of Mercury

1954RAU

Design: The head of Mercury wearing the petasos, facing right, beside a caduceus surrounded by the date.
Date: 1954.
Signature: RAU.

MREngraved by Marcel Rau

ReverseThe Belgian Lion

BELGIERLEX50F

Design: The Belgian lion standing, resting on the tablet of the law bearing the Latin word LEX (the law), above the value.
Legend: BELGIE (Belgium, in Dutch).
Denomination: 50 F.
Marks: R.

MREngraved by Marcel Rau