Belgium Brussels Exposition 50 Francs 1935 Robot Coins I began collecting modern foreign coins in the mid 1960's and I bought a 1966 world coins catalog titled A Catalog of Modern World Coins By R. S. Yeoman. One of the illustrations was for a Belgian silver 50 franc coin commemorating the "Brussels Exposition 1935". There was no other description for the coin and the value for one in very-fine (VF) condition was $12.00. The coin had an interesting design. The obverse had a figure which looked like a robot and the reverse had a building which looked like something from a science-fiction movie. I wanted one of these coins but at the time (1966) I did not have much money. As an adult I learned that the "robot" was the angel St. Michael slaying a dragon and the building was the Palace of Expositions which is still standing. I must have walked by the Palace of Expositions during my visit to Brussels in 1971 because I remember visiting the futuristic "Atomium" from the 1958 World's Fair which was built nearby. Belgium Brussels World's Fair "Atomium" in 1971 Belgium issued this coin in a French language version and a Dutch language version. Besides commemorating the Brussels Exposition it also commemorated the centennial of the Belgian railroad system. The French version of the coin: Belgium 50 Francs 1935 - French Silver, 35.0 mm, 22.03 gm Obverse: Saint Michael standing on slain dragon ROYAUME DE BELGIQUE EXPOSITION DE BRUXELLES 50 FR Reverse: Palace of Expositions building CENTENAIRE DES CHEMINS DE FER BELGES 1835-1935 The Dutch version of the coin: Belgium 50 Francs 1935 - Dutch Silver, 35.0 mm, 21.96 gm Obverse: Saint Michael standing on slain dragon KONINKRIJK BELGIE BRUSSELSCHE TENTOONSTELLING 50 FR Reverse: Palace of Expositions building EEUWGETIJDE DER BELGISCHE SPOORWEGEN 1835-1935 The 1958 World's Fair also had commemorative coins issued. The French version of the coin: Belgium 50 Francs 1958 - French Silver, 30.0 mm, 12.40 gm Obverse: Head of King Baudouin facing left BAUDOUIN ROI DES BELGES Reverse: Brussels Grand Place and Town Hall with emblem of World's Fair at left 1958 50 F The Dutch version of the coin: Belgium 50 Francs 1958 - Dutch Silver, 30.0 mm, 12.55 gm Obverse: Head of King Baudouin facing left BOUDEWIJN KONING DER BELGEN Reverse: Brussels Grand Place and Town Hall with emblem of World's Fair at left 1958 50 F
I saw the "Atomium" in Brussels in 1968 (my European summer) and never forgot it, either. I bet no one did who saw it ... I wonder if it's still there? Kind regards, George
I have this 10 cen Belgie from my dad’s coins when he traveled. We lost some in the flood but I do have this one. Very pretty.