Belgium Leopold II 50 Centimes

History

50 Centimes 1901, KM# 50, Belgium, Leopold II

Obverse. Photo © Heritage Auctions

Description

Leopold II (1835–1909) reigned as the second King of the Belgians from 1865 to 1909 (the longest reign of any Belgian monarch) and became known for the founding and exploitation of the Congo Free State as a private venture. He was responsible for the death of 15 million African people.

Two rim varieties:
• Narrow rim, thin script, script near rim
• Wide rim, thick script, script far from rim

Engraver: Thomas Vinçotte

Obverse	Person (king, queen, tsar etc.) Leopold II of Belgium Bearded head of Leopold II left, legend 'Leopold II King of the Belgians' in French around. LEOPOLD II ROI DES BELGES
Reverse	Animal (fish, bird, mammal etc.) Lion Book Constitution Symbol, amulet, talisman Leo Belgicus Depicts Leo Belgicus with a paw over the stone slab (Constitution of Belgium). The motto "Unity makes Strength" in French above, value and engraver's name below. The date on the left. The Leo Belgicus (Latin for Belgic Lion) was used in both heraldry and map design to symbolize the former Low Countries (current day Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium and a small part of northern France) with the shape of a lion. The names derived from the Belgae are now mostly identified with the country Belgium. The Constitution of Belgium dates back to 1831. Since then Belgium has been a parliamentary monarchy that applies the principles of ministerial responsibility for the government policy and the Trias Politica. The Constitution established Belgium as a centralised unitary state. L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE 1901 50 CS VINCOTTE
Edge	Reeded (milled)