50 Franc Belgium Silver

1935, Belgium, Leopold III. Silver 50 Francs Coin. Brussels International Exposition!

Mint Year: 1935 

Reference: KM-105.1

Denomination: 50 Francs (50 Frank) - Brussels International Exposition of 1953 / Railway Centennial 

Material: Silver (.680) 

Weight: 21.94gm 

Diameter: 35mm

Obverse: Saint Michael as a winged knight, slaying the dragon. Value (50-FR) in fields. Legend: ROYAUME DE BELGIQUE – EXPOSITION DE BRUXELLES 

Reverse: Perspective view of the Palais des Exposition in Brussels. Anniversary dates (1835-1935) of the first Railway above. Legend: CENTENAIRE DES CHEMIS DE FER BELGES

The Brussels International Exposition of 1935 (Exposition Universelle et Internationale Bruxelles) was held in Heysel Park, Brussels, Belgium from April 27 through November 6, 1935. Sanctioned by the Bureau of International Expositions, twenty-five countries officially participated, and another five unofficially represented. The theme was colonization, on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Congo Free State. The fair attracted some twenty million visitors. Belgian architect Joseph Van Neck was the principal architect of the fair and of the Art Deco Palais des Expositions (Grand Palais), with its interior concrete parabolic arches, and its four heroic bronze statues on piers. Among many other contributors, Le Corbusier designed part of the French exhibit, and the Belgian modernist architect Victor Bourgeois designed the Grand Palace, the Leopold II Restaurant and the Soprocol Pavilion. The Belgian art exposition prominently displayed the work of Belgian artists Paul Delvaux and René Magritte, boosting their careers.

Leopold III (born as Léopold Philippe Charles Albert Meinrad Hubertus Marie Miguel (French) or Leopold Filips Karel Albert Meinrad Hubertus Maria Miguel (Dutch) or Leopold Philipp Karl Albert Meinrad Hubertus Maria Miguel (German); 3 November 1901 – 25 September 1983) reigned as King of the Belgians from 1934 until 1951, when he abdicated in favour of the Heir Apparent, his son Baudouin.

Leopold III was born in Brussels as Prince Leopold of Belgium, Prince of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and succeeded to the throne of Belgium on 23 February 1934 following the death of his father, King Albert I.

He was invested as the 1,154th Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece in Spain in 1923, the 355th Grand Cross of the Order of the Tower and Sword in 1927 and the 833rd Knight of the Order of the Garter in 1935.