Eed van Leopold van Saksen-Coburg op de constitutie

About this artwork

Koperen penning. Voorzijde: leeuwtje met vrijheidsstaf in monogram van twee letters L onder kroonbinnen kabelrand. Keerzijde: bord met opschrift binnen omschrift en kabelrand

Art Historical Context

This small copper medal, struck in 1831 by French medalist Adrien Hippolyte Veyrat, commemorates a pivotal moment in Belgian history: the oath sworn by Leopold of Saxe-Coburg upon the newly adopted constitution. Following the Belgian Revolution and the country’s independence from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, Leopold was chosen as the first King of the Belgians. The medal’s compact size—just 1.5 centimeters in diameter—made it an ideal keepsake for citizens celebrating the birth of their constitutional monarchy. On the obverse, a lion holding the staff of liberty appears within the monogram “LL” beneath a crown, symbolizing both royal authority and the new nation’s commitment to freedom. The reverse features an inscription board framed by a cable border, typical of early nineteenth-century commemorative medals. Veyrat’s precise striking technique allowed fine details to be captured on such a tiny surface, transforming a functional object into a lasting emblem of national identity. As both a work of art and a historical document, the medal reflects the era’s blend of neoclassical symbolism and emerging national pride. Its survival offers modern viewers a tangible connection to Belgium’s founding ideals.