Belgium 5 Francs 1933-1940

The 1933 Belgian 5 Franc coin was struck in .835 fine silver, a composition that made it a target for melting during World War II's metal shortages.

That silver content reflected Belgium's cautious economic policies in the interwar years. The obverse typically featured the portrait of King Leopold III from 1934 onward, while earlier issues showed his father, Albert I. Designs included a wreath on the reverse, symbolizing national unity amid rising tensions in Europe. Mintage figures vary by year, but records for 1938 and 1939 are incomplete, possibly lost in wartime chaos.

Production ceased in 1940 as the German invasion loomed. These coins circulated widely before vanishing into hoards or foreign collections. If you're hunting one, check for wear on the high points of the king's profile; it's a telltale sign of actual use, not just cabinet storage.

Some call them underappreciated, but that's just code for "hard to find in decent shape."