Belgium 10 Francs

The most intriguing fact about the Belgian 10 Franc coin, minted from 1952 to 1980, is that it was produced in vast quantities—peaking at over 100 million pieces in some years—to stabilize the economy amid post-war inflation and currency reforms.

This coin featured the portrait of King Baudouin I on the obverse, a design that remained consistent for much of its run, while the reverse showed the Belgian coat of arms or denomination details, depending on the year. Composition varied; early issues were struck in aluminum-bronze, shifting to nickel-clad steel in the 1960s to cut costs as metal prices rose. Mintage figures for certain years are spotty, lost in archival mishaps from the era.

I've handled hundreds of these over the decades, and let me tell you, they turn up in odd places—like forgotten desk drawers.