Leopold van Saksen-Coburg door het Nationaal Congres verkozen tot koning van België 1831

This silver medal commemorates Leopold van Saksen-Coburg's election as the first King of Belgium by the National Congress. Although the artist's identity remains unknown, the piece stands as a potent symbol of a pivotal moment in Belgian history following the Belgian Revolution of 1830. Embedded within this object is a narrative of national identity and self-determination. The inscription on the reverse proudly proclaims in French that "the Belgian people, after having conquered their freedom, have chosen a king worthy to defend it." The choice of Leopold, a German prince, speaks volumes about the complex interplay of local agency and international politics in the formation of the Belgian state. Consider the weight of this small object, both literal and symbolic, as a representation of the hopes and aspirations of a newly independent nation. It encourages us to reflect on how societies construct their identities, often through the selection and celebration of specific leaders and narratives.