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Belgian Congo - Congo - Zaire 1887-1999

Category:  World Coins
Owner:  Scott A
Last Modified:  1/7/2024
  
Set Description
In 1887, the first circulation coins of the Congo (Congo Free State) were minted in Brussels, Belgium. I have spent over 25 years collecting this spectacular series. It has not been as easy as I had expected when I began. However I have acquired many very rare coins that were previously unlisted in KM as well as some terrific errors, along with some significant pedigreed examples. The majority are now listed in KM, but I continue finding new examples of patterns or over-dates that were previously unrecorded in KM, and even in some European catalogs. I have over 270 different coins and several with duplicates or multiple examples. The vast majority are third party graded, and more to come. Feel free to contact me if you have coins that I do not have yet, labeled "needed".

This is one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of Belgian Congo coinage that I know to exist. Many of the coins here are the finest graded and some are extremely rare to possibly unique.

King Leopold II of Belgium owned the Belgian Congo as his personal territory. There was no attempt to rule democratically, or even fairly. In fact, this was probably the most egregious example of selfish colonialism in all of the African colonies. Leopold was forced, by world opinion, to cede the colony to the Belgian government in 1908, who actually did a decent job in eradicating disease, educating the populace and bringing in modern railroads and ports.

And now you can explore more information about this fascinating series in a new book, that I added my assistance to, called "A Numismatic History of Congo/Zaïre: 1887-1997" written by

Richard K. LeVan
with contributions by Beverly B. LeVan and Leopold Verbist

Exploring 110 years of Circulation and Proof coinage,
24 chapters, 359 pages with illustrations

ISBN: 978-0-692-81068-2

You can buy this book online at: http://www.numiscongo.com/


Set Goals
My goal is to complete a date set of Belgian Congo - Democratic Republic of Congo - Zaire coins in mint condition including proofs and patterns, listed and unlisted, as well as errors. I strive to add the finest coins available to this collection. This has truly been a labor of love and I have met some very interesting, educated, and fine people during this pursuit.

Slot Name
Origin/Country
Item Description
Full Grade
Owner Comments
Pics
View Coin 1887 1 Centime BELGIAN CONGOS Copper 1C 1887 Bel.congo KM 1 Annechino Collection NGC MS 65 RB (4) 1 NGC MS 65RB, most of the red on the reverse. Slabbed gems are rare. None graded higher by either service. 1 just sent in to NGC for grading, so grade is pending and 2 raw BN and RB Uncirculated - Ch. Uncirculated
Top graded: NGC 2/0, PCGS 1/0
View Coin 1888 1 Centime BELGIAN CONGOS Copper 1C 1888 Bel.congo KM 1 Annechino Collection NGC MS 66 RB NGC MS66RB Totally Gorgeous!
NGC 2/0 in RB (4 in Brown)
PCGS 2/65BN, 4/64BN, 1/64RB, 2/63RB
View Coin 1888 1 Centime Double Hole Punch Error BELGIAN CONGOS Copper 1C 1888 Bel.congo Mint Error KM 1 DOUBLE HOLE PUNCH Annechino Collection NGC MINT ERROR MS 66 RB 1888 1 Centime Double Hole Punch Error NGC MS66RB crossed over from a PCGS MS66RB. A tremendously cool error in top notch grade.
Likely a unique error. It does show that the holes were punched after the coins were struck.
Ex. Spink from Auction 14007 17-18 December 2014, Lot 139, where it was in a group lot with two other copper coins, described as: "Centime, 1888, same type (cf Dupriez 69 ; KM.1), lustre, deposit on legend at one o'clock, double holed, uncirculated". Likely conserved by PCGS.

View Coin 1 Centime 1888 Error Double Hole Punch 2nd O/C BELGIAN CONGOS Copper 1C 1888 Bel.congo Mint Error KM 1 DOUBLE HOLE PUNCH Annechino Collection NGC MINT ERROR MS 64 RB 1 Centime 1888 Error Double Hole Punch 2nd O/C. Centime, 1888, same type (cf Dupriez 69 ; KM.1)
NGC MS64RB crossed over from a PCGS MS64RB
Second hole covers part of the date.
Another cool error.
View Coin 1887 2 Centimes BELGIAN CONGOS Copper 2C 1887 Bel.congo KM 2 Annechino Collection NGC MS 66 BN (2) 1 raw RB Uncirculated also 1 NGC MS66BN
2/66BN, 4/65RB, 3/65BN
View Coin 1888 2 Centimes (Red-Brown) BELGIAN CONGOS Copper 2C 1888 Bel.congo KM 2 Annechino Collection NGC MS 66 RB (7) 3 BR Uncirculated. 1 Gem Uncirculated. 1 Gem Uncirculated (MS66 in my opinion). One NGC MS66RB, a nice match to the 1 centime above, also beautiful with an ample amount of red remaining.
NGC MS65RD - Very hard to find in full red, even harder in Gem Red! See next entry to view this luscious coin.

NGC 4/66RB, 4/66BN
PCGS 3/66RB, 1/66BN
View Coin 1888 2 Centimes (Red) BELGIAN CONGOS Copper 2C 1888 Bel.congo KM 2 Annechino Collection NGC MS 65 RD NGC MS65RD and quite beautiful. Full red gems are nearly impossible to find in this series.
Only two red 65's graded by NGC
PCGS 2/65RD, 1/64RD
View Coin 1887 5 Centimes BELGIAN CONGOS Copper 5C 1887 Bel.congo KM 3 Annechino Collection NGC MS 66 RB (4) 1 BR Uncirculated also 1 NGC MS66RB (Finest), 1 NGC MS65BN and 1 PCGS MS64RD (very rare in full red)
Finest graded at NGC
View Coin 1888/7 5 Centimes (Red-Brown) BELGIAN CONGOS Copper 5C 1888/7 Bel.congo KM 3 Annechino Collection NGC MS 66 RB (6) 1 NGC MS66RB, 2 PCGS MS66BN, and 2 raw BR Uncirculated The two finest graded by either service. Also 1 in NGC MS65RD, amazingly full red and original that could grade MS66.
View Coin 1888/7 5 Centimes (Red) BELGIAN CONGOS Copper 5C 1888/7 Bel.congo KM 3 Annechino Collection NGC MS 65 RD NGC MS65RD. Excessively rare in gem red.
View Coin 1888 5 Centimes BELGIAN CONGOS Copper 5C 1888 Bel.congo KM 3 Annechino Collection NGC MS 64 RB NGC MS64RB (pictured) (Crossed over from PCGS )
NGC MS63RB

These coins are actual 1888's, which seems to be quite a bit rarer than the over-date variety.
(Note: The singular NGC MS65RB coin of this type graded is not a true 1888, but rather an 1888/7).
View Coin 1894 5 Centimes BELGIAN CONGOS Copper 5C 1894 Bel.congo KM 3 Annechino Collection NGC MS 65 RB (2) NGC MS 65RB crossed over from a PCGS MS65RB holder.
Now the finest certified at NGC, although there is on MS65BN as well.
Well struck and mostly red, and one raw BR Uncirculated.
NGC: 3/63RB, 2/64RB, 1/65RB (this coin), 1/61BN, 1/62/BN, 2/63BN, 2/64BN, 1/65BN (2/20/2024).
PCGS: 6/64RB, 1/65RB (after deducting my crossover piece), 1/58BN, 1/64BN (2/20/2024).
View Coin 1887 10 Centimes BELGIAN CONGOS Copper 10C 1887 Bel.congo KM 4 NGC MS 64 BN (2) NGC MS64+BN and PCGS MS64RB Very rare this nice for this date. Two of the finest graded. Very tough date this high or higher.
The NGC piece was conserved ny NCS. They were unable to remove one carbon spot on each side, but still improved the overall look of the coin anyway.
NGC 3/64BN, 1/64+BN, 1/65 BN, 1/65 RB
PCGS 1/63 RB, 4/64 BN, 1/64RB, 1/65 BN
View Coin 1887 10 Centimes BELGIAN CONGOS Copper 10C 1887 Bel.congo KM 4 Annechino Collection NGC MS 66 BN A beautiful 1887 10 Centimes piece previously graded PCGS MS65 and now upgraded to an NGC MS66 BN with lovely color. The sole finest graded by NGC and none this high at PCGS.

1887 is a very tough date for finding really nice 10 centimes.
View Coin 1887 10 Centimes 1887 Proof Belgian Congo Copper 10C 1887 BEL.CONGO DUPRIEZ-37 COPPER KM 4 Annechino Collection NGC PF 65 BN NGC PF65BN Congo Free State 1887 Proof 10-Centimes, in copper, 20.04g, crowned monograms around central hole, rev. five-pointed star, denomination and date, edge, plain, coin alignment (Dupriez 37; KM-), much lustre, Gem Proof. An extremely rare proof with plain edge! The first and only proof of this issue that I have seen.
Ex. Spink Auction 14007 Lot 145
Photos taken by NGC.
View Coin 1888 10 Centimes BELGIAN CONGOS Copper 10C 1888 Bel.congo KM 4 Annechino Collection NGC MS 65 RB (4) 3 BR Uncirculated plus 1 NGC MS65RB (crossed over from PCGS )
View Coin 1889 10 Centimes BELGIAN CONGOS Copper 10C 1889 Bel.congo KM 4 Annechino Collection NGC MS 65 RB (3): 1 RB Uncirculated, 1 NGC MS64RD, bright red and well struck. 1 NGC MS65RB. Attractive and original.
View Coin 1894 10 Centimes BELGIAN CONGOS Copper 10C 1894 Bel.congo KM 4 Annechino Collection NGC MS 65 RB (3) 1 BR Uncirculated and one NGC MS65RB virtually full red, but reverse appears to have been laid upon a fabric for some time giving it an unusual toning effects, and one NGC MS65RB. Tied with two others at NGC for second finest graded (all 3 RB), and two better at MS66RB. PCGS has graded one in 65BN, one in 65RB, and one in 65RD.
(7/6/2023)
View Coin 1887 50 Centimes BELGIAN CONGOS Silver 50C 1887 Bel.congo KM 5 Annechino Collection NGC MS 67 1887 50 Centimes
NGC MS67; Sole finest graded at NGC. PCGS has graded one example as MS67+ but in my opinion it doesn't look as nice as this NGC graded piece from the photos anyway.

NGC: 33 total; 53/1, 58/1, 62/5, 63/8, 64/8, 65/7, 66/2, 67/1 (this piece). (8/27/2022)
PCGS: 14 total; 2/63, 3/64, 5/65, 3/66, 1/67+. (8/27/2022)
View Coin 1887 50 Centimes BELGIAN CONGOS Silver 50C 1887 Bel.congo KM 5 Annechino Collection Ex. Goodman/Hall NGC MS 63 ex. Stacks Lot 1479 2/17/1999 (Silver Set) The Set is an ex. (Irving) Goodman and ex. (Fred) Hall Collections.
NGC graded this MS63 but it really justifies a full MS64 grade. Pretty light toning here and there.
View Coin 1887 50 Centimes Proof BELGIAN CONGOS Silver 50C 1887 Bel.congo Proof KM 5 Annechino Collection NGC PF 65 NGC PF65 (The only coin graded proof by any service). Extremely rare to possibly unique.
View Coin 1891 50 Centimes BELGIAN CONGOS Silver 50C 1891 Bel.congo KM 5 Annechino Collection NGC MS 63 NGC MS63 - (Crossed over from PCGS )
View Coin 1894 50 Centimes BELGIAN CONGOS Silver 50C 1894 Bel.congo KM 5 Annechino Collection NGC MS 64 NGC MS64 crossed over from PCGS MS64 holder.
Nicely toned
(from Canadian Dealer 11/2008)
View Coin 1896 50 Centimes BELGIAN CONGOS Silver 50C 1896 Bel.congo KM 5 Annechino Collection NGC MS 62 NGC MS62 crossed over from PCGS MS62 holder.
View Coin 1896 50 Centimes Proof BELGIAN CONGOS Silver 50C 1896 Bel.congo KM 5 Annechino Collection NGC PF 65 NGC PF65 (the only coin graded proof by either service) Extremely rare to possibly unique.
The only piece that I have seen or heard of in the past 25 years.
View Coin 1887 1 Franc BELGIAN CONGOS Silver FRANC 1887 Bel.congo KM 6 Annechino Collection Ex. Goodman/Hall NGC MS 64 ex. Stacks Lot 1479 2/17/1999 (Silver Set) The Set is an ex. (Irving) Goodman and ex. (Fred) Hall Collections.
NGC MS64 (A coin that deserved a full MS65 grade) Beautiful
View Coin 1887 1 Franc (Garrett) BELGIAN CONGOS Silver FRANC 1887 Bel.congo KM 6 PCGS MS 67 1887 Leopold II 1 Franc ex. Garrett Collection.
PCGS MS67 (old green holder) Moderate marbleized toning overlaying a soft glow of mint luster.
NGC did not want to cross it over (this time).

Last auction sale of this piece was by Heritage 1/15/2019, Lot #35973 (they posted the incorrect KM number in their listing).
View Coin 1887 1 Franc Proof BELGIAN CONGOS Silver FRANC 1887 Bel.congo KM 6 Annechino Collection NGC PF 66 NGC PF66 (only coin graded proof) original silver set. Extremely rare to possibly unique.
View Coin 1891 1 Franc BELGIAN CONGOS Silver FRANC 1891 Bel.congo KM 6 Annechino Collection NGC MS 62 NGC MS62 (Could easily be graded MS63). Ex. Heritage 10/25/12, Lot 62022
View Coin 1894 1 Franc BELGIAN CONGOS Silver FRANC 1894 Bel.congo KM 6 Annechino Collection NGC MS 63 NGC MS63 Purchased from a Swiss auction in 2015. A very difficult coin to locate in mint state. This piece is quite PQ for the grade.
View Coin 1894 1 Franc Specimen Proof Belgian Congo Silver 1 Franc 1894 Annechino PCGS PF 64 1894 1 Franc Specimen Proof PCGS SP64. No doubt extremely rare and the only piece graded by any service. Possibly unique.
View Coin 1896 1 Franc BELGIAN CONGOS Silver FRANC 1896 Bel.congo KM 6 Annechino Collection NGC AU 55 A very tough coin to find in mint state. This coin's reverse is mint state, but the obverse is not quite there. But still a lovely coins overall.
NGC AU55
I will continue to look for a nicer example.
View Coin 1896 1 Franc BELGIAN CONGOS Silver FRANC 1896 Bel.congo KM 6 NGC MS 63 (3) 1896 Franc NGC MS63. Finest graded by NGC. The last mint state franc coinage of the Congo Free State that I needed. Lovely toning and a couple of small carbon spots on reverse.
The other two: NGC MS62 and NGC AU55
View Coin 1887 2 Francs BELGIAN CONGOS Silver 2F 1887 Bel.congo KM 7 Annechino Collection Ex. Goodman/Hall NGC MS 65 ex. Stacks Lot 1479 2/17/1999 (Silver Set) The Set is an ex. (Irving) Goodman and ex. (Fred) Hall Collections. Great pedigree and great coins.
NGC MS65 Nice strike and slight die break arch over top portion of reverse.
View Coin 1887 2 Francs Proof BELGIAN CONGOS Silver 2F 1887 Bel.congo Proof KM 7 Annechino Collection NGC PF 65 NGC PF65 (only coin graded proof) from original silver set proof set. Extremely rare to possibly unique.
View Coin 1891 2 Francs BELGIAN CONGOS Silver 2F 1891 Bel.congo KM 7 Annechino Collection NGC MS 65 (2) NGC MS65, well struck and finest graded by NGC (ex. Heritage NYINC Jan 2016) and NGC MS63, second finest graded by NGC. One graded MS66 by PCGS, but it has somewhat odd toning that is distracting (sold at Stacks NYINC Jan 2016).
There are two other coins graded NGC MS62 and no others graded.
So quite rare in upper grades.
View Coin 1894 2 Francs BELGIAN CONGOS Silver 2F 1894 Bel.congo KM 7 Annechino Collection NGC MS 61 NGC MS61 Bright and lustrous. Undergraded.
View Coin 1896 2 Francs BELGIAN CONGOS Silver 2F 1896 Bel.congo KM 7 Annechino Collection NGC MS 63 NGC MS63 ex. Heritage 9/9/2014
View Coin 1887 5 Francs BELGIAN CONGOS Silver 5F 1887 Bel.congo "R.D. BELGES" KM 8.1 Annechino Collection Ex. Goodman/Hall NGC MS 62 (2) One is ex. Stacks Lot 1479 2/17/1999 (Silver Set) The Set is an ex. (Irving) Goodman and ex. (Fred) Hall Collections. Great pedigree and great coins.
NGC MS62 (Somewhat justifiable grade, but could have graded MS63 as well, as I've seen worse coins graded that high). Still a very nice coin. (pictured here)
Second one is a located in the next entry.
View Coin 1887 5 Francs BELGIAN CONGOS Silver 5F 1887 Bel.congo "R.D. BELGES" KM 8.1 Annechino Collection NGC MS 66 NGC MS66 with attractive toning (crossed over from green PCGS holder ). A really beautiful example of this coin. Probably one of the best looking gems that I have personally seen.
View Coin 1887 5 Francs KM-8.1 Proof BELGIAN CONGOS Silver 5F 1887 Bel.congo "R.D. BELGES" KM 8.1, Dav-10 Annechino Collection NGC PF 63 NGC PF63 (finest of only 4 coins graded proof by NGC, one PF61 and 3 PF63's. none graded in proof by PCGS) original silver proof set.
KM 8.1, Dav-10
View Coin 1891 5 Francs BELGIAN CONGOS Silver 5F 1891 Bel.congo KM 8.1 Annechino Collection NGC MS 62 NGC MS62 Very very rare Uncirculated. This coin could easily have graded MS63. It has taken me over 10 years to find an uncirculated example of this date. Bought from Belgian Dealer March 2013.

Brussels Mint, KM8.1, Dav-10, Dupriez-72, Bogaert-Unl. Mintage: 30,000.
View Coin 1894 5 Francs BELGIAN CONGOS Silver 5F 1894 Bel.congo KM 8.1 Annechino Collection NGC MS 66 NGC MS66 crossed over from a PCGS MS66 holder. A beautiful coin with original toning, and the highest graded by 3 grades by either service. One of the nicest in the series. Should have received a "star" in my opinion.
View Coin 1896 5 Francs Belgian Congo Silver 5F 1896 KM 8.1 Annechino PCGS MS 64 PCGS MS64 original toning and highest graded by PCGS.
View Coin 1896/4 5 Francs BELGIAN CONGOS Silver 5F 1896/4 Bel.congo Overdate KM 8.1 Annechino Collection NGC MS 62 NGC MS62 This overdate is recorded in Belgian publications. It seems to be very rare. It is now recorded in KM as well after I reported it. Finest graded of only 4 graded by NGC. None graded by PCGS.
ex. Heritage 1/7/2007, Lot: 50501 (From the Monedas Oro Collection), purchased raw by me.
This was the first example graded by either grading company.
View Coin 1887 5 Francs Pattern Belgian Congo Copper 5 Francs 1887 Pattern of KM 8.1 Pittman - Annechino Collection PCGS MS 65 KM Pn 6 Copper Pattern of KM 8.1 ex. Pittman Lot 4894 8/6-8/1999 PCGS MS65RB - I bought this lot from the Pittman sale myself. Extremely rare and beautiful.
I had this coin reholdered at the ANA show August 2018. The new holder makes the coin look so much better than the old holder.
View Coin 1887 5 Francs Pattern Belgian Congo Copper 5 Francs 1887 Pattern of KM 8.2 Annechino Collection PCGS PF 67 KM Pn 7 (Previously Unlisted) Copper Pattern of KM 8.2 PCGS SP67BN Essai (utterly amazing!) - Truly amazing coin.
Extremely rare pattern! I had this coin reholdered at the ANA show August 2018. The new holder makes the coin look so much better than the old holder.
View Coin 1887 1 Centime Copper-Nickel Pattern BELGIAN CONGOS Copper-Nickel 1C 1887 Bel.congo DUPRIEZ-53 COPPER-NICKEL PATTERN KM - Unlisted Annechino Collection NGC MS 65 1887 1 Centime Copper-Nickel Pattern ESSAI; DUPRIEZ-53 Copper-Nickel Pattern.
Congo Free State/Belgian Congo 1887 1 Centime Copper-Nickel Pattern/ESSAI
Very to extremely rare.
Now NGC MS65 after conservation, previously PCGS SP64. Upgraded a point as I predicted.

The circulation pieces were struck in copper.
This is a nice companion piece to the 1887 2 centimes that I have in copper-nickel, and cousins to the 1888 1 and 2 centimes I have in copper-nickel as well.
View Coin 1887 2 Centimes Pattern Belgian Congo Copper-Nickel 2C 1887 KM Pn1 Annechino PCGS PF 64 KM Pn 1 (Previously Unlisted) 2 Centimes Cooper-Nickel Pattern PCGS SP64 Essai - From the 6-4-2002 Irving Goodman Sale Lot 192
Very Rare
View Coin 1888 1 Centime Pattern BELGIAN CONGOS Nickel 1C 1888 Bel.congo DUPRIEZ-66 NICKEL PATTERN Annechino Collection Ex. Chirico NGC MS 62 Copper-Nickel or nickel pattern from the Chirico Collection. Very Rare. Dupriez-66. Only one other example of this date that I have seen. The other in a PCGS holder also graded SP62. NGC MS62 ex. Chirico Collection, where I was in attendance as a floor bidder at the live auction. The sale had low estimate on material that had not seen an auction in a very long time, if ever. The prices realized were typically multiples of even the high estimates. This coin was part of a large lot that was purchased by another bidder and I was fortunate enough to buy it on it's own at a later date.
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