Commemorative Medal of the Election of King Leopold I of Belgium in 1831
Artist / maker
Franciscus de Hondt (medalists)Date
1831Period
19th centuryCollection
Museum of Fine Arts Ghent
On 4 June 1831, the election for the kingship of Belgium took place in the National Congress. There were 196 members present and the Prince of Saxe-Coburg received 152 votes. He was therefore declared the victor by the chairman Mr. de Gerlache. A delegation of nine members of the Congress immediately went to London to tell Prince Leopold-George-Chrétien-Frédéric of Saxon-Coburg…
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On 4 June 1831, the election for the kingship of Belgium took place in the National Congress. There were 196 members present and the Prince of Saxe-Coburg received 152 votes. He was therefore declared the victor by the chairman Mr. de Gerlache. A delegation of nine members of the Congress immediately went to London to tell Prince Leopold-George-Chrétien-Frédéric of Saxon-Coburg of the joyful news. The medal commemorates this event that ended an uncertain period after the Revolution that made Belgium independent. On the obverse is an allegorical representation of Lady Belgica holding a laurel wreath over the bust of Leopold I. On the reverse is a closed wreath of oak and laurel leaves with the inscription LIBERTAS BELGARUM ASSERTA.
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