Rating
Title	Belgium, Leopold II, 20 Franks, 1877 AD.
Obverse	Bust of Leopold II facing right, Engraver's initials: LW, Date 1877, Inscription LEOPOLD II ROI DES BELGES.
Reverse	Belgium Coat of Arms, Inscription: L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE, 20 FR.
Type/Denomination	20 Franks
Origin	Belgium
Period	1877 AD
Description	This Belgium coin clearly displays the initials of its engraver, Leopold Wiener (LW), under the lower left corner of Leopold II's bust. Wiener worked as a royal engraver at the end of Leopold I's reign and continued his work with the Belgium government when Leopold I's son took the throne. Leopold II was the king of Belgium from 1865 until his death in 1909. He is most famous for owning and exploiting a colony in Africa. The Congo Free State (now the Democratic Republic of Congo) enabled him to make a fortune by exporting primarily rubber and ivory. However this was accomplished at great cost to the Congo's native people. Leopold established a rubber quota for the natives and those who did not meet their required amount would have their hands cut off. Leopold is also credited with an unknown number of deaths, estimated in the millions. Eventually the Belgium government took over the colony because of Leopold's brutal administration.
Publisher	Hillsdale College
Donor	Alwin C. Carus
Accession Number	20051327

Belgium, Leopold II, 20 Franks, 1877 AD.

Description