2 Centimes - Léopold II French text

Features

Issuer	Belgium
King	Leopold II (1865-1909)
Type	Standard circulation coin
Years	1869-1909
Value	2 Centimes (0.02 BEF)
Currency	Franc (1832-2001)
Composition	Copper
Weight	4 g
Diameter	21.5 mm
Thickness	1.5 mm
Shape	Round
Technique	Milled
Orientation	Coin alignment ↑↓
Demonetized	Yes
Number	N# 516 Numista type number (https://en.numista.com/help/what-is-the-n-number-visible-in-the-catalogue-33.html)
References	KM# 35.1, Tracy L. Schmidt (editor); 2019. Standard Catalog of World Coins / 2001-Date (14^th edition). Krause Publications, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, USA. And 5 more volumes. LA# BFM-10, Laurens Aernout; 2017. Catalogus van Belgische Numismatische Uitgiften : 1831-2017. Numismatica Zuidwest-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Schön# 7 Gerhard Schön; 2018. Weltmünzkatalog / 20. Jahrhundert: 1901-2000 (46. Auflage). Battenberg Gietl Verlag, Regenstauf, Germany. And 2 more volumes.

Obverse

A lion, symbol of Belgium, with a paw over the Belgian Constitution dating 1831. Around is the Belgian motto in French. Value and designer below.

Lettering:
L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE
CONSTITUTION
BELGE
1831
*
2 CENTs.
BRAEMT.F

Translation:
UNITY MAKES STRENGTH
BELGIAN CONSTITUTION 1831*
2 CENTIMES
BRAEMT (F = Fecit = Made by)

Engraver: Joseph-Pierre Braemt

Reverse

The royal monogram is surrounded with lettering in French. Date below.

Lettering:
LEOPOLD II ROI DES BELGES *
1902

Translation: LEOPOLD II KING OF THE BELGIANS 1902

Engraver: Joseph-Pierre Braemt

Edge

Reeded

Mint

Brussels, Belgium (983-date)

Comments

The SCWC differentiates for 1902 between 'normal' flan [KM#35.1] and thin flan [KM# 35.2], without giving further details. No other author makes this distinction. In fact the thickness of the flan can vary greatly for each year (1.3 - 1.75 mm, or more).

Changes in the position, spacing and size of the date can be observed for most years. The difference between large and small dates made by the SCWC for 1874 and Aernout for 1869 is relative.

The SCWC differentiates for the year 1869 between reeded and smooth edge. No other author makes this distinction. A smooth edge remains unknown to this day and can be considered as an inaccuracy of the SCWC. Smooth or almost smooth edges can be observed on coins in poor condition, but these are due to the degradation of the coin.

The 1870/71 overdate listed by the SCWC is not mentionned by any other author and remains unknown to this day. It can be considered as an SCWC error.

Aernout lists three varieties in the lion's mane for the year 1870. The other authors do not differentiate.

Morin notes that the year 1871 was not officially brought into circulation and probably struck in 1873 with year 1871.

Overdate 1909/905

Overdate 1909/609

Changes from 1902 onwards

On the obverse we can see that the line under CENT is now shorter and that the dot in the signature is no longer behind the F but behind BRAEMT (sic). From 1902 onwards the word CENT is larger and the S is no longer above the dot.
Other less significant changes can be seen in the legend and on the lion.

On the reverse side the differences are less visible; the monogram and the crown remain the same, but a slight difference can be seen in the spacing of the words "LEOPOLD" and "BELGES".

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Date	Mintage	G	VG	F	VF	XF	AU	UNC	Frequency
Undetermined
1869	2 971 930		$ 1.83	$ 3.62	$ 8.53	$ 94			5%
1869									0.5%	plain edge
1870	5 653 780	$ 0.31	$ 0.54	$ 0.66	$ 1.04	$ 2.61	$ 2.76	$ 4.18	46%
1871			$ 1.04	$ 2.22	$ 2.86				7%
1873	7 490 637	$ 0.24	$ 0.54	$ 0.54	$ 1.53	$ 4.70			21%
1874	7 875 928		$ 0.69	$ 0.84	$ 1.04	$ 8.35			9%	large narrow date
1874			$ 0.85	$ 0.85	$ 1.04	$ 2.31			11%	small wide date
1875	7 931 768	$ 0.21	$ 0.21	$ 0.78	$ 1.04	$ 4.58			18%
1876	10 471 512	$ 0.26	$ 0.56	$ 0.56	$ 1.15	$ 3.81	$ 4.66		28%
1902	2 489 877		$ 0.05	$ 0.42	$ 1.04	$ 1.23			16%
1902									0.2%	medal alignment
1902									2%	thin flan
1905	4 981 359	$ 0.23	$ 0.42	$ 0.84	$ 1.04	$ 1.99			28%
1909	4 998 236		$ 0.54	$ 0.54	$ 1.04	$ 2.63	$ 7.64		28%
1909									0.03%	overdate 1909/609
1909									0.03%	overdate 1909/809
1909									0.11%	overdate 1909/905

Values in the table above are expressed in USD. They are based on evaluations by Numista users and sales realized on Internet platforms. They serve as an indication only; they are not intended to be relied upon for buying, selling or exchanging. Numista does not buy or sell coins or banknotes.

Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.

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