Take a look at Belgian Franc

Between the years 1832 and 2002, the currency of the Kingdom of Belgium was known as the Belgian franc. The Euro currency was first used in 2002. It was broken down into 100 smaller parts that were referred to as centimes.

A Brief Overview of the History of Belgian Coins

The widespread adoption of the French franc can be traced directly to France’s revolutionary and Napoleonic-era conquests across much of western Europe. As a result of these expansions, the franc ultimately replaced the kronenthaler as the main unit of currency in the Austrian Netherlands. However, following the formation of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, the franc was eventually superseded by the Dutch guilder, which became the official currency of both countries.

After gaining independence from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the newly formed Kingdom of Belgium introduced its own franc in 1832, which was similar to the French franc. This was followed by Luxembourg in 1848 and Switzerland in 1850.

In the late nineteenth century, Belgium developed its own mint, becoming the first country to issue cupronickel coins in 1860. Some later coins featured inscriptions in both languages. When both languages appeared on opposite sides, two versions were created: one with Dutch on the left and French on the right, and another with the order reversed. Additionally, in 1887, banknotes were printed in multiple languages.

Coins

Copper 1, 2, 5, and 10 centime coins, silver 1, 2, and 5 franc coins, and gold 20 and 40 franc coins were introduced between 1832 and 1834. Early 1 and 2 centime coins were made over Dutch and 1 cent coins. The 40 franc was not minted after 1841, although silver and gold francs, as well as 10 and 25 francs, were issued between 1848 and 1850. In 1852, silver 20-centimes replaced the franc. Cupro-nickel 20 centimes were introduced in 1860, followed by 5 and 10 centimes in 1861. The silver 5 francs was phased out in 1876. Holed, cupro-nickel 5, 10, and 25 centime coins were introduced between 1901 and 1908.

Production of the 1 centime and all silver and gold coins ceased in 1914. During the German occupation, new zinc coins were introduced for 5, 10, and 25 centimes. In 1918, a pierced zinc 50 centimes was also issued. The production of the 2 centimes coin ended in 1919.

In 1922 and 1923, nickel coins for 50 centimes, 1 franc, and 2 francs were released. These coins featured the image of the god Mercury. Nickel-brass was introduced for the 5 and 10 centimes in 1930, and for the 25 centimes in 1938.

Nickel coins for 5 and 20 francs were launched in 1930 and 1931, respectively. Silver coins for 20 francs were introduced in 1933, followed by 50 franc coins in 1939. In 1938, the designs for the 5 franc and 1 franc coins were updated to depict a lion and heraldic arms.

As a result of the German takeover in 1940, silver currency was phased out. Zinc replaced all other metals in the 5, 10, and 25 centimes, as well as the 1 and 5 francs, in 1941. Using surplus planchets from the 1943 steel cent, the Allies struck 25 million 2 franc coins at the Philadelphia Mint in 1944.

Cupro-nickel 5 francs and silver 50 and 100 francs were issued in 1948, with silver 20 francs issued in 1949 and cupro-nickel 1 franc issued in 1950. Classical allegoric images were portrayed on these coins. In 1952, bronze 20 and 50 centime coins depicting a miner and a lamp were issued. Despite their disparate dates, these coins entered circulation only a few years apart as part of larger currency reform. After 1955, silver coinage manufacturing halted.

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Cupro-nickel 25-centime coins replaced the 20-centime in 1964. The 25-centime coins were later discontinued in 1975. Nickel 10 francs depicting King Baudouin were introduced in 1969, followed by nickel-bronze 20 francs in 1980 and nickel 50 francs in 1987, all of which – bar the 10 Franc coin – r

Cupro-nickel In 1964, 20-centime coins were changed to 25-centime coins. In 1975, the 25-centime coins stopped being made. In 1969, nickel 10 franc coins with a picture of King Baudouin were made. In 1980, nickel-bronze 20 franc coins were made, and in 1987, nickel 50 franc coins were made. All of these coins, except for the 10 franc coin, replaced the corresponding banknotes. In 1986, cupro-nickel was replaced by aluminum-bronze on the 5 francs. In 1988, cupro-nickel was replaced by nickel-plated iron on the 1 franc, which was also much smaller. These changes happened at the same time that older coins were slowly taken out of circulation.

This situation resembled what occurred in the early years after World War II. The new designs also made it easier for vending machines and visually impaired individuals to identify the currency. In 1994, designers redesigned all bills except the 50 centimes. King Albert II replaced the image of Baudouin on all bills, except for the 50 centimes. After 2000, they ceased production of this currency. By 2004, people could no longer exchange coins for money.

Belgium’s use of Luxembourg francs

From 1944 to 2002, one Luxembourg franc equaled one Belgian franc. As a result, people in both countries could use either currency for their purchases. However, some shops in Belgium hesitated to accept Luxembourg banknotes. They worried about unfamiliarity with the currency and feared that other customers might not recognize it either.