MAJORITY OF THE DUKE OF BRABANT, CROWN PRINCE LEOPOLD OF BELGIUM

WIENER, Léopold: Belgium, 1853, Bronze, 75 mm
Obv: Bust (l) of the young Duke of Brabant (future King Leopold II). LEOP: LUD: PH: M: V: DUX BRABANTIAE
Rev: Allegorical scene of the young heir swearing fidelity to the Constitution, the Genius of the Belgian people and to the personification of the Divine Law    TU NUNC ERIS ALTER AB ILLO
Exergue: IX APR. MDCCCLIII
Signed: LEOPOLD WIENER F. / L.W.
Ref: Forrer VI, p. 493; Europese Penningen #39; Reinecke 134 (Obv.);  Weiss BW587

Leopold Louis Philippe Marie Victor (1835-1909) was the eldest son of Leopold I by his second wife Louise of Orleans. He was created duke of Brabant in 1846. In 1853 the 18-year-old reached his majority and took his oath as crown prince, the event commemorated by this medal. He succeeded his father in 1865, becoming King Leopold II of Belgium. As king, Leopold II was to become one of the most hated men on two continents for his colonization and exploitation of the people of the Congo Basin. The history of Leopold’s subjugation of the area is documented in Adam Hochschild’s King Leopold’s Ghost.

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