Obverse. Photo © NumisCorner.com
  • 2½ Francs 1848-1849, KM# 11, Belgium, Leopold I
  • 2½ Francs 1848-1849, KM# 11, Belgium, Leopold I
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' in French. Engraver's initials below.

LEOPOLD PREMIER ROI DES BELGES
L. WIENER

Reverse

Depicts the Belgium coat of arms within wreath dividing facial value. The motto "Unity makes Strength" in French above, date below.

The shield bears a lion known as Leo Belgicus (Latin: the Belgian lion). 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.

L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE
2½ F.
1849

Edge

2½ Francs

Small Head
KM# 11 LA# BFM-122
Characteristics
Material Silver
Fineness 0.900
Weight 12.5 g
Diameter 30 mm
Thickness -
Shape round
Alignment -
Mint
Royal Belgian Mint

Related coins

Large Head

Silver, 12.5 g, ⌀ 30 mm