1948 Belgium 5 Francs

The 1948 Belgian 5 Francs coin was struck in .835 fine silver, a material choice that reflected the lingering economic constraints of postwar Europe.

This piece, designed by Lucien De Greef, features a simple lion emblem on the obverse, a nod to Belgian heraldry that collectors sometimes overlook in favor of flashier designs. We know it entered circulation that year, but records on exact mintage figures were likely lost in the upheavals of the time, so I won't speculate.

As for its Olympic ties, it's possible the coin indirectly supported Belgium's participation in the 1948 London Games through general revenue, though that's unconfirmed and often exaggerated in enthusiast circles. What we can say is that it circulated alongside the daily grind of recovery, not as a commemorative trophy.

Silver content aside, the coin's edge bears a reeded design, practical for preventing counterfeits in an era of scarcity. Some numismatists quip it's the most honest thing Belgium produced that decade.