25th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ACCESSION OF KING LEOPOLD I

WIENER, Léopold: Belgium, 1856, Bronze, 74 mm
Obv: Bust of Leopold I    LEOPOLD PREMIER ROI DES BELGES
Rev: Belgium standing, places wreath on crown which is on a throne inscribed with the Belgium Coat of Arms. A lion appears from behind the figure. Seated winged Victory resting on a plaque inscribed:   21 JUIL:1831 21 JUIL:1856    Around,  21 JUILLET 1856. RECONNAISSANCE NATIONALE.
Exergue: XXV^E ANNIVERSAIRE DE L'INAGURATION DU ROI
Signed: LEOP. WIENER
Ref:  Forrer, VI, p.491, p.493;  Weiss BW280

Leopold I (1790-1865), the son of the Duke of Saxe-Coberg-Saalfeld, in 1831 became the first king of Belgium. In 1816 he had married the daughter of the future King George IV of Great Britain. The early part of his reign was marked by conflict with the Netherlands, who initially refused to recognize the sovereignty of Belgium. He strengthened Belgium through his neutrality on the Crimean War and through a network of marriage alliances.  Leopold was largely responsible for the marriage of his niece Queen Victoria of England to his nephew Prince Albert.  He was succeeded by his son Leopold II.
The medal, issued in 1856, commemorates the 25th anniversary of his reign, which, because Leopold I was the first king of Belgium, also commemorates the 25th anniversary of the founding to the Belgian monarchy.

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