Description

Europe has 12 monarchies, including the unique systems of the Vatican and Andorra. Due to historical intermarriage, all of Europe’s reigning monarchs are related. Since WWII, all hereditary European monarchs have descended from a single common ancestor: John William Friso, Prince of Orange, who died in 1711.

Two German noble families, the Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburgs and the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, are particularly prominent in European royal bloodlines. The British royal family, originally the Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, changed its name to Windsor in 1917 when King George V adopted a more British-sounding name to counter anti-German sentiment during WWI.

Obverse

Depicts an official emblem of the Laurent Kabila regime: a gilede head of male snarling lion, symbolizing strength and authority. within gilded circle with the country’s name in French dividing date, surrounding by the legend of bank above and denomination below dividing by two stars in each side.

Kabila’s regime, which began in 1997 after he overthrew Mobutu Sese Seko, was characterized by efforts to rebuild the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire) after decades of dictatorship. His government sought to restore national sovereignty, but faced internal conflict and external pressures, particularly during the Second Congo War.

★ BANQUE CENTRALE ★
REPUBLIQUE DEMOCRATIQUE
19 99
DU CONGO
★ 5 FRANCS ★

Reverse

Depicts a multicolored portrait of Prince Bernhard, wearing glasses with a lesser version of the Netherlands emblem at the right enclosed by the inscription above, his name and birth date below surrounded by the title of the series in French.

Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld (1911–2004) was the consort of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands and a significant figure in Dutch and international history. Born in Germany, he married Princess Juliana in 1937 and became Prince of the Netherlands. During World War II, he played a prominent role, serving as a liaison officer for the Dutch government-in-exile and later as a pilot for the Allied forces. He was a founding member of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) in 1961 and championed environmental causes. However, his legacy was marred by controversy due to the Lockheed scandal in the 1970s, where he was implicated in accepting bribes from the American aircraft manufacturer. Despite this, Prince Bernhard remained an influential figure in the Netherlands until his death.

MAISONS ROYALES D'EUROPE DES SIECLES DERNIERS
LE PRINCE DES PAYS-BAS
BERNHARD *1911

Edge

5 Francs

Royal Families Of Europe
Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands

Subscribe series
KM# 88
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Nickel Plated Brass
Weight 24.3 g
Diameter 38.61 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment Medal

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