1885 Belgium (Antwerpen) Universal Exposition Medal – Léopold Wiener, UNC

The 1885 Belgium Universal Exposition Medal (Antwerpen) by Léopold Wiener is a beautifully detailed bronze souvenir from the Antwerp World’s Fair, officially known as the Exposition Universelle d’Anvers. This medal celebrates one of Belgium’s most successful international exhibitions, held from May 2 to November 1, 1885, which attracted over 3.5 million visitors and 14,472 exhibitors from across the world.

The obverse depicts the god of the Scheldt River, seated on the ground with a flowing urn, symbolizing abundance and prosperity. In his right hand, he holds a cornucopia filled with fruit and flowers, while an anchor and chain lie beside him, representing Antwerp’s maritime heritage. Behind him rises the city’s citadel, flanked by two clasped hands—a traditional emblem of Antwerp. Below, in the exergue, appear the inscriptions “ANTWERPEN / LEOP. WIENER”, surrounded by a circle of pearls and a raised border.

The reverse shows the entrance gate to the 1885 Antwerp Exhibition, encircled by the legend “EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE D’ANVERS”, with the date “1885” in the exergue. The artistry of Léopold Wiener, one of Belgium’s most celebrated medal engravers, is evident in the high relief and balanced composition.

This bronze medal, classified as GMJ #1885/1a, was struck as a souvenir and distributed widely during the fair, allowing visitors to carry home a tangible piece of Belgium’s industrial and artistic triumph. A copy was famously donated to the museum by Leopold Van de Vijver in 1912, underscoring its cultural value.

Preserved in UNC (Uncirculated) condition, the medal retains sharp details and original bronze tone, making it a desirable piece for collectors of world exposition medals, Belgian history, and Léopold Wiener’s works. It represents a milestone in Europe’s late 19th-century exhibition culture and a masterpiece of Belgian medallic art.