Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 5 Francs 1853, X# M2, Belgium, Leopold I, Wedding of Prince Leopold and Marie Henriette
  • 5 Francs 1853, X# M2, Belgium, Leopold I, Wedding of Prince Leopold and Marie Henriette
Description

Leopold I (1790–1865) was a German prince who became the first King of the Belgians following Belgian independence in 1830. He reigned between July 1831 and December 1865.

Born into the ruling family of the small German duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, Leopold took a commission in the Imperial Russian Army and fought against Napoleon after French troops overran Saxe-Coburg during the Napoleonic Wars. After Napoleon's defeat, Leopold moved to the United Kingdom where he married Princess Charlotte of Wales, the only child of the Prince Regent (the future King George IV).

After the Greek War of Independence (1821–32), Leopold was offered the position of King of Greece but turned it down, believing it to be too precarious. Instead, Leopold accepted the kingship of the newly established Kingdom of Belgium in 1831. His reign was marked by attempts by the Dutch to recapture Belgium. Leopold was considered liberal and encouraged economic modernisation, playing an important role in encouraging the creation of Belgium's first railway in 1835 and subsequent industrialisation.

Engraver: Leopold Wiener

Obverse

Portrait of Leopold I (left) surrounded by the inscription 'Leopold First King of the Belgians'. Engraver's name below.

LEOPOLD PREMIER ROI DES BELGES
L.WIENER

Reverse

A profile portrait of Marie Henriette partially covered by a profile portrait of Prince Leopold, both facing to the right. Engravers name below. Portraits surrounded by the inscriptions 'Duke of Brabant' and 'Duchesse of Brabant' and wedding date: August 21-22.

In 1853 at the age of 18, Leopold married Marie Henriette of Austria in Brussels on August 22. Leopold II (1835–1909) reigned as the second King of the Belgians from 1865 to 1909 and became known for the founding and brutal exploitation of the Congo Free State as a private venture. Marie Henriette of Austria (1836–1902) was Queen of the Belgians as the wife of King Leopold II. She was lively and energetic and endeared herself to the people by her character and benevolence, and her beauty gained for her the sobriquet of "The Rose of Brabant". Four children were born of this marriage, three daughters and one son.

In the current Kingdom of Belgium, the title of "Duke of Brabant" revived as a dynastic title at the court, and is traditionally assigned to the oldest son/daughter of the sovereign.

L.L.PH.M.V.DUC DE BRABANT
M.H.A DUCHESSE DE BRABANT
LEOP.WIENER
21-22 AOUT 1853

Edge

God Protect Belgium

DIEU PROTEGE LA BELGIQUE ***

Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Circulating)
Material Silver
Fineness 0.900
Weight 25 g
Diameter 37 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment -
Alt # X# M2.1, X# M2.2
Mint
Royal Belgian Mint

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