Belgian Medals - Order of Leopold 1 Medals

Bill's Belgian Medals

Order of Leopold 1 - Page 1

Above is the very scarce badge of a Commander (Maritime Division) (French

Language only).

Above is an example of Military Division (Two Languages) - Officer Order and a

Leopold 1 Civil Division (French

Language) - also an Officer Order but with

crossed swords on the ribbon.

Above is an example of Military Division (Two Languages) - Knight Order. Notice

the difference in the crowns and

design and colour of the wreaths.

Another example of differences inMilitary Division (Dual Language) Knight Orders.

Notice again the difference in the

design of the inner wreath on the red enamel and

the star and enamel colours.

Above is an example of Civil Division - Knight Order with a central gilt stripe

indicating an award for distinguished

services during wartime hostilities. The

medal to the right has crossed swords with a 1940-45 bar.

As a collector of Belgian Medals, I have understandably focused on growing my collection of medals

awarded to

recipients of the Order of Leopold 1.

The Order of Leopold 1 is the premier Belgian Order, both in its institution and in the order of wear. It

was created in

1832 (decrees of July 11 and August 3) and is awarded to respected individuals -

usually for the length of their career or

for exceptional service.

In practice, long service is rewarded first by the Order of the Crown and, 5 years later, by the Order of

Leopold 1.

Private individuals - physicians, engineers, lawyers, presidents of important institutions or

firms or famous artists etc.,

can also be awarded the Order.

The badge of the Order has on its reverse the mirrored intertwined letters "LR" (Leopold Rex) and the

obverse has the

Belgian Kingdom's motto around the central medallion's edge, either the bilingual

Flemish/French "EENDRACHT MAAKT

MACHT - L'UNION FAIT LA FORCE" (Unity makes power) or, in

the case of the pre-1951 version, in French only.

Ribbon emblems such as palms, crossed swords, gilt or silver stars are usually connected with

wartime services.

However, there are also ribbons with a central gilt stripe or gilt edges. The Military

Division of the Order has crossed

swords between the Order's cross and crown and the Maritime

Division has crossed anchors.

Each of the three divisions has the following classes : Grand Cordon, Grand Officer, Commander,

Officer and Knight.

My collection is presented below and hopefully will be updated as it continues to grow.

Above is the badge of a Grand Officer Civil Division of the Order of Leopold 1. To

the right is a Commander (Civil

Division) of the same Order - part of a group of

medals

Above are two examples of Military Division (French Language only) Officer

Orders. Notice the difference in the crown

and reverse with and without a "1"

between the mirrored RLs.

Above is an example of Leopold 1 Civil Division (French Language) - also an

Officer Order but with II between the

mirrored letters LR at the centre of the

obverse. Compare this with a Knight award Military Division (French Language)

with miniature Albert palm and I between the letters RL.

Above is an example of Leopold 1 Military Division (French Language) with

crossed swords on the ribbon. Compare this

with a Knight award Military Division

(Dual Language) also with crossed swords of a different type and with

significantly

different colour green enamel.

Last Updated 17 November 2007