Belgian Congo 1896 5 francs
This specimen was lot 1257 in Sincona sale 47 (Zürich, May 2018), where it sold for 425 CHF (about US$510 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BELGIEN, konigreich, Leopold II. 1865-1909. 5 Francs 1896. Gutes sehr schön. Kleine Randfehler. (Congo Free State, Leopold II, 1865-1909, five francs of 1896. Good very fine, Minor edge nicks.)"
This type was also struck 1887, 1891, 1894 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: 110,000, most common date.
Specification: 25 g, 0.900 fine silver, .723 troy oz ASW, this specimen 24.99 g.
Catalog reference: 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]Richter, Jürg, Auction 47, World Coins and Medals, Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2018.
Link to:
- 1894 5 francs
- 1896 franc
- 1896 2 francs
- Coins and currency dated 1896
- return to coins of Belgian Congo