Belgian Congo Leopold III 1 Franc

History

1 Franc 1944-1949, KM# 26, Belgian Congo, Leopold III

Obverse. Photo © Numismatic Guaranty Company

Description

The Belgian Congo was a Belgian colony in Central Africa between 1908 and 1960 in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Leopold III (1901–1983) reigned as King of the Belgians from 1934 until 1951, when he abdicated in favour of the heir apparent, his son Baudouin. From 1944 until 1950, Leopold's brother, Charles, served as prince regent while Leopold was declared unable to rule. In 1950, the debate about whether Leopold could resume his royal functions provoked a political crisis known as the Royal Question.

Engraver: Armand Bonnetain

Obverse	Animal (fish, bird, mammal etc.) Elephant African elephant walking left. Date below. Engraver's privy mark on the right. One species of African elephant, the bush elephant, is the largest living terrestrial animal, while the forest elephant is the third-largest. Their thickset bodies rest on stocky legs, and they have concave backs. Their large ears enable heat loss. The upper lip and nose form a trunk. The trunk acts as a fifth limb, a sound amplifier, and an important method of touch. 1949
Reverse	Value flanking by the stars. The Central Bank of the Belgian Congo in French (on the top) and in Dutch (on the bottom). BANQUE DU CONGO BELGE ★ 1 FR ★ BANK VAN BELGISCH CONGO
Edge	Plain