Cent van Leopold I, koning der Belgen 1847

This one-cent coin, made from copper, was designed by Joseph-Pierre Braemt for Leopold I, King of the Belgians. The coin’s small size belies the industrial processes involved in its manufacture, as it was likely die-struck using a machine press. Note the crisp details: the regal lion, and the inscription, “L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE” (“Unity Makes Strength”). These elements weren’t crafted by hand, but precisely replicated by a machine, part of a wider shift to mechanized production at the time. Although coins like these seem commonplace, they were powerful tools for nation-building. Beyond their monetary value, coins like these circulated symbolic meaning, reinforcing a sense of national identity through standardized imagery. The repetitive act of minting, and the mass circulation of coins, helped to solidify the idea of a unified Belgian identity. Ultimately, this humble copper coin speaks volumes about the intersection of craft, industry, and the forging of a nation.