5 Francs 1956-1959, Ruanda-Urundi, KM# 3

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Dear gentlemen,

I wonder what coat of arms is shown on the obverse of 5 Francs Ruanda-Urundi 1956-1959, KM# 3 | CoinBrothers Catalog ?

It is not Ruanda-Urundi, not the Belgian Congo, not even Belgium. Yes, crown and lion are obviously from Belgium but the star could be from Belgian Congo's flag, for instance.

Do you have any ideas?

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The small arms of the Belgian Congo before independence. I have attached a picture of the full arms.

The star is for the African International Association (AIA), created in September 1876 on the initiative of the King of Belgium Leopold II "to open Africa to civilisation and to abolish slavery", later used by succeeding organisations, from 1882 the International Association of Congo (IAC) and from 1885 the Independent State of Congo. The central band is the Congo river. The inescutcheon is the arms of the king. These were granted in 1880. They consist of the lion of Belgium, with a small shield of Sachsen-Coburg-Gotha, the king's family arms. These arms were not abolished until 1963.

Peter

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Thanks a lot, Peter! I've updated info about the coin.