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Coin and Paper Money Collecting/Leopold Premier, Roi des Belges.

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Expert: - 10/31/2009


Question
Hello Dmitry. I found a coin outside my house a few years ago. I've tried to google it, but I cannot find any information about it. At the frontside of the coin there's a man with the text Leopold Premier--Roi des Belges. I looked at a picture of Leopold the 1:st and it seems to be him.

On the backside of the coin there's two people, female I'd guess. A long text around the edges of the coin: Y.L.PH.M.V.DUC DE BRABANT and MHA. DUCHESSE DE BRABANT. There's also a few a few numbers 2122 AOUT 1853.

The coin is very light and have a gold-ish colour, and it is of medium quality.

Thank you.

Answer

5 franc 1853
Hi Johan,
This design is in the likeness of a series of official "patterns" minted in Belgium. I have attached a picture of one such coin. They are quite rare and valuable, but all of these are large and heavy copper, bronze, silver or gold pieces.
The text commemorates the marriage of the Duke of Brabant, in 1853.
You likely have a medallion done after the design of these coins. Whether this is a period piece from the wedding period, or a modern novelty replica makes a big difference in value.
If you post a follow-up question with a clear picture I can determine which one it is.
Thanks for the question! =)

Dmitry Livshits

Expertise

My specialty is world coins from the 18th to 20th centuries, primarily non-US foreign coins and related areas such as errors and exonumia (tokens, medals, etc.). I can answer questions relating to identification, grading, selling, preservation and evaluation of such items. In addition to catalog value, I can give you the practical market value and trends for specific types of coins. I will also take questions regarding counterfeits (both modern and antique) and on how to identify them. I am NOT knowledgeable in paper money/banknotes, ancient or "shipwreck" coins. Thank you.

Experience

Collector of world coins since early childhood. Access to a variety of auction records and reference material. You can also find me on Facebook.

Education/Credentials
A.S. in Psychology (2006), B.A. in Forensic Psychology (2008), M.A. in Forensic Psychology (2011).

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