Sell silver interwar 20 and 50 franc coins
The silver twenty- and fifty-franc pieces of Albert I and Leopold III, from the 1930s. Older than the post-war francs, and of a different fineness.
- Purity
- 680‰
- Country
- Belgium
- Silver rate
- €1.75/g
What do we pay for a silver 20 and 50 franc interwar?
Based on the silver rate of this moment, €1.75 per gram of fine material. As of:
| Variant | Fine silver | Total weight | We pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 francs 1931-1935 | 7.48 g | 11 g | €12.81 |
| 50 francs 1935 | 14.96 g | 22 g | €25.61 |
| 50 francs 1939-1940 | 16.7 g | 20 g | €28.59 |
This price applies regardless of the year and the mint. With a rare year or exceptional condition the collector’s value can be higher than the material value – then we say so, even if that means you are better off not selling us the coin.
How we arrive at this amount
A coin is precious metal in a recognisable shape. What it fetches therefore depends almost entirely on the fine weight: the weight of pure silver it contains.
This coin is 680‰ pure. The rest of the alloy – usually copper – makes it harder and scratch-resistant, but has no value. That is why we calculate on the fine weight and not on what the scales say.
The 50 francs of 1935, with Saint Michael, was issued for the World’s Fair in Brussels. The 50 francs of 1939 and 1940 is of a higher fineness than the older pieces.
Not sure whether your coin is genuine? We check weight, diameter, thickness and – if in doubt – the density with X-ray analysis. Non-destructive: your coin stays intact.
Also have a look at today’s silver rate or all silver prices.
Three coins, three finenesses
The twenty-franc piece of 1931 to 1935 shows Albert I or Leopold III and is 680 silver. The fifty francs of 1935, for the World’s Fair in Brussels, is also 680 silver but weighs twice as much. The fifty francs of 1939 and 1940 is lighter but 835 silver – and so contains more fine silver.
That is why we read the date and settle coin by coin. A 1939 piece counts for its 16.7 grams of fine silver, not for the lower fineness of its predecessor.
Not to be confused with the post-war francs
The silver francs from after 1948, with Baudouin or the 1958 World’s Fair, have a page of their own. If you bring both, the valuer sorts them and settles each on its own fineness.
How to sell your silver 20 and 50 franc interwar
From walking in to being paid usually takes less than half an hour.
Do not polish it
With collector coins, cleaning can push the value down considerably. A natural patina belongs to them.
Bring it in
With or without an appointment, at one of our 45 locations. If the coin is in a holder, leave it in there.
We assess two values
The precious metal and what the coin itself does: year, mintage and condition. You get the higher of the two.
Paid out straight away
In cash or by bank transfer. Larger amounts reach your account within 24 hours.
Also of interest
- Silver rate todayThe current silver rate per gram and per kilo, updated every minute.View
- All silver pricesWhat we pay per carat or alloy.View
- All coins and barsThe complete list of purchase prices per piece.View
- Spot price, premium and spreadWhy you never get back the premium you paid on purchase.View
Questions about selling silver 20 and 50 franc interwar
How much silver is in a 1935 50 franc?
The coin weighs 22 grams and is 680 silver: 14.96 grams of fine silver.
Why does the 1939 50 franc contain more silver while it is lighter?
Because the fineness is higher: 835 instead of 680. Twenty grams of 835 silver is 16.7 grams of fine silver, more than the 14.96 grams of the heavier 1935 piece.
Is a 20 franc of Albert I the same as one of Leopold III?
For the silver, yes: both weigh 11 grams and are 680 silver. The portrait differs, the weight does not.
Do these coins have collector value?
Some years and language variants do, especially in good condition. The valuer assesses that separately and tells you.
Is your question not listed? Ask it below, call 085 060 3009 or go to contact.
A question about silver 20 and 50 franc interwar?
Ask it here. You will receive a personal reply by email, usually within one working day – no automated message and no phone call you did not ask for.
- An answer from a valuer, not from a template
- We keep your question so that you need not repeat anything
- No sales pitch afterwards
Sources
Where you can verify what you have just read.
- Koninklijke Nederlandse MuntThe mint that struck the Dutch coins and knows their fineness
- De Nederlandsche BankOn the guilder and exchanging old legal tender
- WaarborgHollandThe Dutch assay office that verifies fineness and strikes hallmarks
Have your silver 20 and 50 franc interwar valued?
Free and without obligation, at a location near you.