How to Identify the Congolese Commemorative Coin
A collector's guide to recognizing this holed Congo Free State 10-centime coin by its star, value, date, metal, and central hole.
Read the full Congolese Commemorative Coin encyclopedia entry →
Begin with the star face, the side shown in the photo. Look for the numeral 10 near the top and the letter C (centimes) opposite it, a large five-pointed radiant star filling the center, and a border ring of small stars. A date such as 1889 runs along the lower edge. If these elements are present around a central hole, you are looking at a Congo Free State 10 centimes rather than a modern commemorative.
Confirm the value and denomination. The paired 10 and C are decisive: a coin reading 5 with the same star and hole is the smaller 5 centimes of the same family, not this piece. Read the numeral carefully, because wear can blur the difference between the values.
Check the metal and size. This coin is brown and copper-colored, comparatively large and substantial for a minor denomination. A silvery or pale coin of similar holed design is more likely a later Belgian Congo copper-nickel issue, so let the brown color and the ÉTAT INDÉPENDANT DU CONGO era legends guide you.
Examine the second face if you can. The side not shown here typically carries the crowned intertwined monogram of Leopold II and the country legend around the same central hole. Confirming that legend and monogram ties the coin firmly to the Congo Free State rather than to a look-alike token or a coin from another country that also used holed formats.
Authenticate with care. The central hole should be part of the strike, with the star and stars laid out around it, not a later drilling for jewelry; a ragged or off-center hole cutting through the design suggests damage. Read the date against catalog listings, watch for cleaning and corrosion on these old coppers, and judge condition from the sharpness of the star rays and the legibility of the date before assigning any value.
Frequently asked questions
How do I tell the 10 centimes from the 5 centimes?
Read the numeral on the star face. This coin shows 10 with a letter C; the smaller companion coin shows 5 in the same holed, star design. Match the number exactly, since wear can make them look alike.
How can I confirm it is a Congo Free State coin?
Look for the radiant star, ring of small stars, central hole, and a date such as 1889, and check the other face for the crowned Leopold II monogram and the legend ÉTAT INDÉPENDANT DU CONGO.
Is the hole original or was it drilled later?
On genuine coins the hole is part of the design, with the star and rays arranged neatly around it. A rough, off-center hole that cuts through the lettering or star usually means the coin was altered or damaged.
How do I know it is copper and not a silvery alloy?
Judge by color. This coin is brown and copper-toned. A pale, silvery holed coin of similar style is more likely a later copper-nickel Belgian Congo issue rather than this early copper piece.