Expert: Dmitry Livshits - 11/4/2009

Question
I have a coin with the name Leopold H Koning on the left front side near the rim with Der Belgen on the right front side near the rim and a portrait of a bearded man also on the face. On the back there is a coat of arms and an inscription of EENDRACHT MAAKT MACHT at the top and a date 18_7.  Can you give me any information about this coin.  Thanks

Answer
Hi Carl,
Depending on the size of the coin, you have either a 50 centimes (dime size), 1 franc (quarter size), 2 francs (half dollar size) or 5 francs (silver dollar size) silver coin from Belgium.
This coin will be dated 1867 regardless of which denomination you have, since this is the only existing date with a 7 at the end.
Value on these coins depends very much on condition. These coins are common in average circulated condition, but quite scarce in high grades and outright rare in mint condition. Average examples are only worth a couple dollars above silver value (they have the same silver content as comparable sized US silver coins). I assume that since part of the date is obliterated, you have a well used coin. High grade examples easily go into the $50-$100+ range.
Thanks for the question! =)