1852 Belgium Medal to Honor Charles Rogier, Minister of the Interior

Designed by Leopold Wiener | Exonumia / Numismatic Collectible

Overview

Add a monumental piece of Belgian political and social history to your collection with this rare, uncirculated bronze medal honoring Charles Rogier, the influential Minister of the Interior and visionary promoter of public health. Struck in 1852 and masterfully crafted by the legendary Belgian medalist Leopold Wiener, this impressive piece represents the pinnacle of 19th-century European medallic art.

With elite double-catalog provenance, this medal is referenced as Number 54 in Alvin’s manuscript on medals of Leopold Wiener and Number 94 in Joseph Guioth’s foundational Histoire Numismatique de la Belgique, Vol. II.

Historical Significance

Charles Rogier was a towering figure in nineteenth-century Belgian history, a leader of the Belgian Revolution, and a key statesman who shaped the nation’s foundational infrastructure, educational reform, and public health initiatives. Leopold Wiener, alongside his brothers, defined the Golden Age of Belgian medallic art. Capturing Rogier’s likeness in exquisite detail, this medal immortalizes a champion of modern statecraft during a time when Belgium was rapidly modernizing.

Specifications & Condition

• Issuing Country: Belgium

• Year of Issue: 1852

• Artist / Medallist: Leopold Wiener

• Honoree: Charles Rogier (Minister of the Interior & Promoter of Public Health)

• Catalog References:

  • Alvin's Manuscript on Medals of Leopold Wiener – No. 54

  • Guioth, Histoire Numismatique de la Belgique, Vol. II – No. 94

• Composition: Bronze

• Condition: Uncirculated (Immaculate cabinet preservation with pristine surfaces and rich original patina)

• Diameter: 2.668 inches (approx. 67.8 mm — an exceptionally large-format medal)

• Weight: 4.417 ounces (approx. 125.2 grams — heavy, exhibition-grade mass)

Why This Belongs in Your Collection

• Impeccable Double Pedigree: Documented in both Alvin's specialized work on Wiener and Guioth's standard Belgian numismatic reference, ensuring verified authenticity and elite collector status.

• Masterpiece by Leopold Wiener: Designed by one of Europe's most celebrated 19th-century sculptors and coin-engravers.

• Exhibition-Sized Presence: At over 2.6 inches across and weighing a hefty 4.4 ounces, this monumental bronze medal commands attention and serves as a magnificent centerpiece for any advanced historical or political collection.