1856 Belgium Expansion of Antwerp Large Bronze Medal by Laurent Hart (55mm) – Uncirculated – City Coat of Arms

1856 Belgium Expansion of Antwerp Large Bronze Medal by Laurent Hart (55mm) – Uncirculated – City Coat of Arms

Add a landmark piece of 19th-century European civic and architectural history to your collection with this official 1856 Belgian Expansion of Antwerp Bronze Commemorative Medal.

Struck in high relief by celebrated Belgian medallist Laurent Joseph Hart (1810–1860), this impressive 55mm medal commemorates the May 12, 1856 legislative approval expanding Antwerp's municipal borders and port infrastructure.

Design Details:

• Obverse: Features the crowned coat of arms of Antwerp displaying the historic city gate and heraldic hands above a scroll reading "PRO PATRIA ET FOCIS" ("For Country and Hearth"). Encircled by a ring of regional heraldic shields and the outer motto: "PLUS ELLE EST GRANDE PLUS ELLE EST FORTE" ("The larger she is, the stronger she is"). Signed HART on the bottom rim.

• Reverse: Features the outer legend "AGRANDISSEMENT D'ANVERS" above a 10-line dedicatory inscription honoring the members of the committee (Section Centrale) who secured the expansion project, expressed by the grateful citizens of Antwerp (Les Anversois Reconnaissants), dated 12 Mai 1856.

Key Specifications & Attributes:

• Year of Issue: 1856

• Country: Belgium

• City: Antwerp (Anvers)

• Medallist / Engraver: Laurent Joseph Hart

• Composition: Bronze

• Diameter: 55 mm (2.155 in)

• Weight: 82.2g (2.90 oz)

• Condition: Choice Uncirculated with rich mahogany-bronze surfaces, sharp details, and smooth fields.

Historical Analysis & Design Context

• Historical Significance: Issued in 1856 to commemorate the enlargement and urban expansion of Antwerp (Agrandissement d'Anvers). Following Belgian independence, Antwerp underwent rapid modernization, port expansion, and strategic fortification dismantling to become one of Europe's premier maritime and trading hubs.

• Engraver / Medallist: Designed and struck by Laurent Joseph Hart (1810–1860), one of 19th-century Belgium’s most celebrated master engravers and chief medallist to the Belgian Royal Mint. Signed HART in micro-lettering along the bottom obverse rim.

• Design Breakdown:

  • Obverse (Coat of Arms & Mottoes): Features the crowned heraldic shield of Antwerp displaying the historic city gate and two hands (Antwerpen / hand-throwing heraldry). A ribbon scroll beneath reads PRO PATRIA ET FOCIS ("For Country and Hearth"). Surrounding the inner collar are the small crowned shields representing the municipal provinces/districts, encircled by the French legend:

    PLUS ELLE EST GRANDE PLUS ELLE EST FORTE

    (Translation: "The larger she is, the stronger she is.")

  • Reverse (Dedicatory Inscription): Features a central ten-line French inscription honoring the central committee members instrumental in passing the expansion bill:

    A MM. DE NAYER. GOBLET. ROGIER. COOMANS. TEYDT. THIEFRY. VAN ISEGHEM. MEMBRES DE LA SECTION CENTRALE, LES ANVERSOIS RECONNAISSANTS. 12 MAI 1856.

    (Translation: "To Messrs. De Nayer, Goblet, Rogier, Coomans, Teydt, Thiefry, Van Iseghem, members of the Central Section, the grateful citizens of Antwerp. 12 May 1856.")

    Encircled by the outer border title: AGRANDISSEMENT D'ANVERS (Expansion of Antwerp).