The nickel 50 francs appeared in 1987 in place of the banknote of the same value: Belgium was turning its everyday notes into metal, with a 20 franc coin in 1980 and the turn of the fifty in 1987.

This is the Dutch version: the reverse carries a large «50F» with the country name «BELGIË» beneath and the year between the mint marks at the bottom. The obverse bears a stylised portrait of King Baudouin with the initials «J-P.L» of sculptor Jean-Paul Laenen, who had designed the 5 francs in the same manner a year earlier.

Mintages of the early years vary widely: 30 million of each version in 1987, just 3.5 million in 1988 and 15 million in 1989. The type was struck until 1993, after which Albert II appeared on the 50 francs, and on 28 February 2002 the coins were withdrawn.

The coin suits a date run of Belgian francs as well as a set of coins that replaced banknotes. The VF grade shows wear on the raised parts of the portrait, while all main details and legends remain sharp.

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