1951 Belgium 5 Francs

The 1951 Belgian 5 Francs coin was struck from aluminum, a cost-saving choice amid postwar shortages that made it weigh just 2.5 grams—half that of its prewar counterparts.

This design shift reflected Belgium's rapid economic rebuild after the occupation, with the coin featuring a simple portrait of King Baudouin on the obverse and the national arms on the reverse. Production occurred at the Brussels mint, though exact figures remain murky; records from that era were spotty due to administrative chaos.

Not every coin survived intact; aluminum's softness meant wear came quickly in circulation. If you're handling one now, note the edges might feel unusually smooth, like an old glove that's seen better days.