Belgian Congo 1891 50 centimes
This specimen was lot 5330 in Goldberg sale 72 (Los Angeles, February 2013), where it sold for $161. The catalog description[2] noted, "Belgian Congo. 50 Centimes, 1891. Leopold II. NGC graded MS-63." This type was also struck 1891, 1894, 1896 but none are common. This type, strangely enough, is more available in nice condition than the regular fifty centimes of Belgium.
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: 60,000.
Specification: 2.5 g, .835 silver, .067 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: KM-5.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [2]Ira and Larry Goldberg, Goldberg sale 72: The Pre-Long Beach Auction, Los Angeles, CA: Goldberg Coins & Collectibles, 2013.
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