1890 Belgium 2 Francs

In 1890, Belgium issued this 2 Francs coin as part of the Latin Monetary Union, allowing it to circulate freely alongside French and Italian currency.

That practical design choice meant it was struck with a consistent 835/1000 silver fineness and weight, avoiding the chaos of mismatched coinages elsewhere in Europe. The obverse shows Leopold II in profile, his features etched with the stern precision typical of that era's engraving. On the reverse, you'll find the Belgian arms flanked by the denomination and date.

As for mintage figures, records from the Brussels mint are spotty; we know production was substantial, but exact numbers vanished in administrative reshuffles. I've handled plenty of these over the years, and they're often found in decent condition, free from the dramatic tales some collectors spin.

It's a straightforward piece, really.