Bélgica. Leopold II. Historical silver medal (1865-1909)- Comice de Tinlot - Liegé - By Geerts (Sin Precio de Reserva)

Silver Medal Leopold II 1865-1909 Comice de Tinlot - Liegé - By Geerts
21,30 g
42,50 mm


King Leopold II of Belgium (1835–1909) was the second King of the Belgians, ascending the throne in 1865. Born as the eldest son of King Leopold I and Queen Louise-Marie, he married Marie-Henriette of Austria in 1853, with whom he had four children. Despite a strained personal life, Leopold left a significant mark on Belgium, driving ambitious urban development projects. He transformed Brussels with landmarks such as the Royal Greenhouses of Laeken and the Arcade du Cinquantenaire. His vision for infrastructure and public works earned him recognition as a modernizer within Belgium.

However, Leopold’s legacy is overshadowed by his actions in the Congo Free State, a private colony he controlled from 1885 to 1908. Presented initially as a humanitarian endeavor, his administration exploited the region for resources like rubber and ivory. Forced labor, violence, and systematic abuse resulted in widespread suffering and the death of millions of Congolese people. The international outcry over these atrocities led to Belgium taking control of the Congo in 1908, ending Leopold’s personal rule.

While his contributions to Belgium’s modernization are acknowledged, the human cost of his colonial pursuits defines his reputation, making Leopold II one of history's most controversial monarchs.