Belgian Congo 1894 5 francs
The first specimen was lot 3571 in Sincona sale 9 (Zürich, October 2012), where it sold for 450 CHF (about US$569 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BELGIEN Belgisch Kongo Leopold II., 1865-1909. 5 Francs 1894. Ger. Gutes sehr schön. (Belgian Congo, Leopold II, 1865-1909, five francs of 1894, good very fine.)"
The seocnd specimen was lot 1210 in Jean Elsen sale 138 (Brussels, September 2018), where it sold for €850 (about US$1,172 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"CONGO, Etat Indépendant, Léopold II (1885-1908), AR 5 francs, 1894. Superbe. (Congo Free State, Leopold II, 1885-1908, silver five francs of 1894, extremely fine.)"
This type was also struck 1887, 1891, 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: 30,000.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, .723 troy oz ASW.
Catalog reference: Dupriez 78, KM 8.1, Dav-10.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Numismatic Coins, Medals, Banknotes & Books: Auction 9, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2012.
- [2]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 138, Collection A. BLONDEL, Collection M. HENDRICKX, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2018.
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