Last year around 115,000 banknotes denominated in Belgium’s historic currency, the Belgian franc, were handed in to Belgium’s central bank for conversion into euros. They were worth 3.3 million euros, but it’s estimated that the total value of all the Belgian franc banknotes still out there is around 400 million euros. Keep looking!
We’ve been using the euro since 2002 in Belgium, but banknotes denominated in Belgian franc with a face value of over 50 francs are still worth money! You can trade them in at Nationale Bank in Brussels, Belgium’s central bank. With the bourses in a slump it’s worth your while to look out for any of these notes you may have stashed away. Many of the banknotes are believed to be abroad!
Many notes were taken home by tourists, money they failed to spend or something kept as a souvenir.
The amount being handed in varies. Often children discover their parents had stashed money away and this is discovered when they pass away and a house clearance is underway. One lady recently found 1.2 million francs (30,000 euros) in her grandfather’s home when he died.
Hand in the notes at Nationale Bank and their veracity is checked. If they are genuine, the bank pays up even if you only have just over half of an old note. The bank then puts them in the shredder before the remains are incinerated.
All notes issued after 1944 over 50 francs can be exchanged. The bank won’t take your coins. If you live abroad you can send your notes to the Nationale Bank van België in Brussels to exchange them. Please use registered mail. The value will be transferred to your account in euros.
