1958 Belgium 100 Francs World Fair

This Belgian 100 Francs coin from 1958 features the Atomium, that 102-meter-tall steel structure shaped like an iron crystal, which served as the Expo's centerpiece and still draws tourists today.

It's a silver piece, struck at the Brussels Mint to commemorate the World's Fair, an event that showcased post-war optimism with pavilions from 48 nations. The obverse shows King Baudouin I, while the reverse highlights the Atomium amid abstract rays, symbolizing atomic energy's promise. Not every fair coin gets such a lasting emblem.

Mintage figures are murky; records from that era weren't always reliable. I've handled a few over the years, and they're often in decent condition, though wear from circulation muddies things. Prices fluctuate, but that's the coin market for you—predictable as weather.

One oddity: some collectors swear these coins bring good luck, like the fair itself. I wouldn't bet on it.