5 Centimes 1908 [Democratic Republic of the Congo / Congo Free State]

About the object

Country: Congo Free State, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Shape: Round with central hole
Weight: 2.5 g
Mintage: 180,000 pcs.
Metal: Cupronickel (copper-nickel)
Composition: Cu-Ni
Denomination: 5 centimes
Currency unit: Centime
Orientation: Coin alignment
Reference: KM# 9
Diameter: 19 mm

Reverse

In the central part is a radiant five-pointed star. To its right and left, three stars are arranged in a row on each side; at the base is the year '1908'. In the upper part, along the curve of the coin's edge, is the text 'five centimes' in French - '5 Ces', with dots beneath the letters 'es'. Along the curve of the coin's edge are decorative elements in the form of dentils.

Obverse

In the central part is a hole. Around the circumference of the hole, within a circle of dots, five monograms of Leopold II form a star. The monogram is a crowned, mirror-image Latin letter 'L' facing left. Along the curve of the coin's edge is the text 'LEOPOLD II KING OF THE BELGIANS SOVEREIGN OF THE INDEPENDENT STATE OF THE CONGO' in French: 'LEOPOLD II R. D. BELGES SOUV. DE L'ETAT INDEP. DU CONGO' (a five-pointed star at the beginning of the legend). The edge of the coin is decorated with raised dots.