Belgian Congo 1887 5 francs
This specimen was lot 3857 in Goldberg sale 67 (Los Angeles, February 2012), where it sold for $4,600. The catalog description[1] noted, "Belgian Congo. 5 Francs, 1887. Variety with R.D. Belges. Leopold II. Head left. Reverse: Crowned arms with supporters. Sharply struck example with lovely light golden peripheral toning. Rare this nice. NGC graded MS-65." This type was also struck 1891, 1894, 1896 but none are common.
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: 8,000.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, .723 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: Dav-10; KM-8.1 (listed under Congo Free State).
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Goldberg, Ira, Larry Goldberg, Stephen Harvey, Paul Rynearson and Jason Bradford, Pre-Long Beach Auction, Ancient & World Coins, Los Angeles: Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, 2011.
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