Watch List notes:

Congo Free State - Pattern 5 Francs 1896, Silver, LEOPOLD II 1865–1909 Bust left. Rev. arms with supporters. Raised lettered edge.Dupr. 96; KM. Pn20.With help from Sir Henry Morton Stanley, King Leopold II was able to lay claim to the Congo Free State becoming it's founder and sole owner. He was authorized by the colonial nations of Europe at the Berlin conference of 1884-85 under the condition he would improve the lives of the native inhabitants. Known to have ignored this and, using the Force Publique, the king ran the region for his personal gain, obtaining a fortune from at first ivory and eventually natural rubber through the forced labor of the native population. This piece, already a rarity, possesses a lettered edge setting it apart from its counterparts.

Despite a few test marks in the obverse fields, the piece is sure to be an excellent addition to any collection of Belgian and Belgian colonial coinage.25.06 g. RRR. A few marks in the obverse field UNC