Belgian Congo 1947 5 francs
This specimen is from a one year type struck for the Belgian Congo. The bold design of a striding African elephant has always made this coin popular among collectors who otherwise neglect African issues. The design also appears on brass one and two franc pieces of 1944-49. This specimen was lot 126 in Classical Numismatic Group's sale of the Lissner Collection (Chicago, August 2014), where it sold for $786.50. The catalog description[1] noted, "COLONIAL AFRICA, Belgian. Congo Belge (Belgian Congo). temp. Léopold III. King of Belgium, 1934-1951. Brass 5 Francs. Banque du Congo Belge issue. Philadelphia mint. Dated 1947. In NGC encapsulation graded MS 66. Toned brilliance." This specimen sold for eight times the catalog value.
The history of the Congo is itself much less happy. 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: 10,000,000.
Specification: brass, this specimen 26.5 mm diameter, 7.91 g, 12h axis.
Catalog reference: KM 29.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Teller, M. Louis, and Victor England, Jr., The Richard Lissner Collection, Lancaster, PA: Classical Numismatic Group, 2014.
Link to:
- 1937 5 francs
- 1944 50 francs
- 1946 franc
- 1947 2 francs
- 1949 franc
- 1952 5 francs
- Coins and currency dated 1947
- return to coins of the Belgian Congo