Where can I convert Belgian Francs?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2
Where can I convert Belgian Francs?
A friend gave me a 200 Belgian Franc note and the Bank of America said that is was worth quite a bit of money, but they couldn't convert it to US$ for me. It is an orange and white banknote with a sax and a man on one side and a sax player on the other side. It says Banque Nationale de Belgique. The bank said it was worth about US$380.00.
I am 15 and this friend told me that if anyone knew how I could get US dollars for it, it would be someone on this discussion board. The money would sure go a long way for me.
Thanks for any help!
Max
I am 15 and this friend told me that if anyone knew how I could get US dollars for it, it would be someone on this discussion board. The money would sure go a long way for me.
Thanks for any help!
Max
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR/SPG LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus
Posts: 31,008
Last I was in Belgium, it was about 40 to the $US, making a 200 franc note worth about US$5.
I believe Belgium has converted to the Euro, so the process for exchanging is probably not worth the effort.
I believe Belgium has converted to the Euro, so the process for exchanging is probably not worth the effort.
#4
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: This year we're going to the BAFTAs!
Posts: 5,518
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mstoltz:
A friend gave me a 200 Belgian Franc note and the Bank of America said that is was worth quite a bit of money [...] The bank said it was worth about US$380.00.</font>
A friend gave me a 200 Belgian Franc note and the Bank of America said that is was worth quite a bit of money [...] The bank said it was worth about US$380.00.</font>
As of Jan. 1, 2003 only the National Bank will exchange old bills.
Edited to add: 200BF = €4.96 = US$ 4.80
[This message has been edited by SMessier (edited 08-23-2002).]
#5
Moderator, SkyTeam and Germany
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: FRA/STR/NUE
Programs: BA, LH, KL, EY, IHG, Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, Radisson
Posts: 5,946
Actually I'm quite shure that every national bank of a Euro-member country would exchange that note into an Euro note for free. In Germany the National- or Landesbank can be found in every major city.
So probably try this on your next visit to Europe?
So probably try this on your next visit to Europe?
#6
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Hotel Guru
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, UA Gold
Posts: 1,455
Trust me, Luxembourg and Belgium had the same money for years before the Euro came. 200 Belgian Francs are only 4.96 Euro. You can change them in the Central Banks of Europe and Belgium
Muerz
Muerz
#9
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Portland
Programs: UA 1K, AK Gold 75K, etc. etc.
Posts: 1,660
I was just in Belgium and tried to spend 800 francs that I had from last year. No hotels, banks or taxis would take them. They said that I had to go to the national bank. It wasn't worth the money to me, so I dumped the money in the charity bin on the airplane. 800 francs was worth slightly less than 20 euros.
#10
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Chicago, IL (2 miles from ORD)
Posts: 660
Interesting TRIVIA? Know what a EuroDollar is? Hint: It is NOT another name for the Euro! Answer at bottom of post.
I have Dutch, German, Belgian, French, Austrian, and Italian money - not much, $300, but when I visit the countries again, what do I do? Go all the way to the National Bank or throw the money away?
When I withdrew money from EU-member ATM's, I thought I was putting sufficient faith in the Government's backing of their money. Guess not - I can no longer spend it or exchange it(without a journey to the central bank). From what I have read, in 12 years, the old currencies will no longer be exchangeable for Euros.
I wonder how this has been allowed? Maybe that is why U.S. money is so accepted throughout the world - no matter how old, mutilated, defaced, burned, or rotted; as long as there is ANY evidence that it is a unique and genuine Treasury Note, it will be honored and/or replaced at no charge. Every note ever minted by the Treasury Dept is always good.
source:
http://www.bep.treas.gov/section.cfm/8
http://www.bep.treas.gov/section.cfm/19
ANSWER? A EuroDollar is actually a U.S. Dollar! It also can be a Canadian dollar, Hong Kong dollar, or any country's dollar;
A Eurodollar is an official term, used by foreign traders since around 1960. Any dollar traded in a foreign country is called a EuroDollar. And a Euro that is traded outside the EU-member countries would be called a EuroEuro.
I have Dutch, German, Belgian, French, Austrian, and Italian money - not much, $300, but when I visit the countries again, what do I do? Go all the way to the National Bank or throw the money away?
When I withdrew money from EU-member ATM's, I thought I was putting sufficient faith in the Government's backing of their money. Guess not - I can no longer spend it or exchange it(without a journey to the central bank). From what I have read, in 12 years, the old currencies will no longer be exchangeable for Euros.
I wonder how this has been allowed? Maybe that is why U.S. money is so accepted throughout the world - no matter how old, mutilated, defaced, burned, or rotted; as long as there is ANY evidence that it is a unique and genuine Treasury Note, it will be honored and/or replaced at no charge. Every note ever minted by the Treasury Dept is always good.
source:
http://www.bep.treas.gov/section.cfm/8
http://www.bep.treas.gov/section.cfm/19
ANSWER? A EuroDollar is actually a U.S. Dollar! It also can be a Canadian dollar, Hong Kong dollar, or any country's dollar;
A Eurodollar is an official term, used by foreign traders since around 1960. Any dollar traded in a foreign country is called a EuroDollar. And a Euro that is traded outside the EU-member countries would be called a EuroEuro.
#11
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: New York
Posts: 1,257
I was recently in a non-Euro country, maybe it was New Zealand or the UK, where the currency changebooths quoted rates for the former Euroean currencies. I suppose if they pay little enough for them, they could still make money after sending the bills to the European central banks for exchange. Maybe they were just too lazy to change their rate cards. I'd check in Canada or Mexico.
A US-Dollar note won't be accepted by any bank or change booth in most of Eastern Europe if it is in the least bit torn or has a hole in it. I don't know why, and we all know that the US Federal Reserve will accept a US bill in any condition, but they must somehow think that only counterfeit bills can be torn!
[This message has been edited by Track (edited 08-25-2002).]
A US-Dollar note won't be accepted by any bank or change booth in most of Eastern Europe if it is in the least bit torn or has a hole in it. I don't know why, and we all know that the US Federal Reserve will accept a US bill in any condition, but they must somehow think that only counterfeit bills can be torn!
[This message has been edited by Track (edited 08-25-2002).]
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: None any more
Posts: 11,017
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by RADDY1:
only European currency (I think) where you'll get more US dollars than the actual currency, is £sterling!</font>
only European currency (I think) where you'll get more US dollars than the actual currency, is £sterling!</font>
#13
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: None any more
Posts: 11,017
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Aubie:
I have Dutch, German, Belgian, French, Austrian, and Italian money - not much, $300, but when I visit the countries again, what do I do? Go all the way to the National Bank or throw the money away?
</font>
I have Dutch, German, Belgian, French, Austrian, and Italian money - not much, $300, but when I visit the countries again, what do I do? Go all the way to the National Bank or throw the money away?
</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">When I withdrew money from EU-member ATM's, I thought I was putting sufficient faith in the Government's backing of their money. Guess not - I can no longer spend it or exchange it(without a journey to the central bank). From what I have read, in 12 years, the old currencies will no longer be exchangeable for Euros. </font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
I wonder how this has been allowed?</font>
I wonder how this has been allowed?</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Maybe that is why U.S. money is so accepted throughout the world</font>
[This message has been edited by christep (edited 08-25-2002).]