Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 1 Franc 1910-1918, KM# 73, Belgium, Albert I
  • 1 Franc 1910-1918, KM# 73, Belgium, Albert I
Description

Albert I (1875–1934) reigned as King of the Belgians from 1909 to 1934. He ruled during an eventful period in the history of Belgium, which included the period of World War I (1914–1918), when 90 percent of Belgium was overrun, occupied, and ruled by the German Empire. Other crucial issues included the adoption of the Treaty of Versailles in June 1919, the ruling of the Belgian Congo as an overseas possession of the Kingdom of Belgium along with the League of Nations mandate of Ruanda-Urundi, the reconstruction of Belgium following the war, and the first five years of the Great Depression (1929–1934). King Albert died in a mountaineering accident in eastern Belgium in 1934, at the age of 58, and he was succeeded by his son Leopold III (r. 1934–1951). He is popularly referred to as the "Knight King" (roi-chevalier or koning-ridder) or "Soldier King" (roi-soldat or koning-soldaat) in Belgium in reference to his role during World War I.

Obverse

Depicts the portrait of Albert I of Belgium (left) surrounded by the Flemish legend "Albert King of the Belgians".

Engraver: Godefroid Devreese

·ALBERT·KONING· ·DER·BELGEN·
G. Devreese

Reverse

Depicts the facial value surrounded by olive and oak branches and the national motto in Flemish "Unity makes strength".

1
FRANK
1913
·EENDRACHT·MAAKT·MACHT·

Edge

1 Franc

Dutch Text
KM# 73 Schön# 29 LA# BFM-92
Characteristics
Material Silver
Fineness 0.835
Weight 5 g
Diameter 23 mm
Thickness 1.4 mm
Shape round
Alignment Coin
Alt # KM# 73.1, KM# 73.2
Mint
Royal Belgian Mint

Related coins

Silver, 5 g, ⌀ 23 mm
French Text

Silver, 5 g, ⌀ 23 mm