Belgian Congo 1887 5 centimes
This specimen was lot 1277 in Stephen Album internet sale 28 (Santa Rosa, CA, July 2024), where it sold for $96. The catalog description[1] noted, "BELGIAN CONGO: Leopold II, 1885-1909, AE 5 centimes, 1887, Congo Free State (État indépendant du Congo) issue, a superb mint state example! PCGS graded MS64 RB." This type was also struck 1888 and 1894; the 1888/7 overdate is the most common issue. It accompanied copper one, two and ten centimes.
The history of the Congo has long been unhappy. The region was claimed by Leopold III of Belgium in the 1880's as his private domain, ostensibly to end the slave trade which had long afflicted the area. Instead, he instituted a reign of terror as natives were massacred if they failed to yield their assigned quota of rubber and ivory. Finally, after a world outcry, the government of Belgium annexed the area in 1908 and ended the most abusive practices. Still, few wept when the colonizers withdrew in 1960. Violence and exploitation continue to this day, fulfilling white racists' worst stereotypes about "darkest Africa."
Recorded mintage: 175,000.
Specification: copper.
Catalog reference: KM-3.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Album, Stephen, Joseph Lang, Paul Montz, Michael Barry and Norman Douglas Nicol, Internet Auction 28, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, Inc., 2024.
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