1908 Belgium 10 Centimes

The 1908 10 Centimes coin from Belgium features a portrait of Leopold II, whose regime poured profits from the Congo into the national mint.

That design, by engraver Alphonse Michaux, shows the king in profile on the obverse, with the denomination and year on the reverse. It's struck in bronze, a material chosen for its durability in everyday use. The coin measures 21 millimeters across and weighs about 3 grams, typical for the series.

Minting took place at the Brussels facility, though exact production figures are murky—records from that era aren't reliable. I've handled dozens of these over three decades, and they're often mistaken for mere pocket change rather than artifacts of a turbulent time.

Edge is reeded, by the way, to deter clipping. As for myths, no, it wasn't cursed by Congolese spirits; that's just collector nonsense.