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Original Order of Leopold (Leopoldsorde / Ordre de Léopold) (Class of Knight – Rangorde v.d. Ridder) with Etui! This is the post-1952 design with bilungual motto.

The Order of Leopold is the oldest and highest national order of Belgium, established on 11 July 1832 by King Leopold I. It remains one of the three principal Belgian orders of knighthood and is awarded by Royal Decree. It recognizes exceptional service to the Belgian state, whether in military, civil, or maritime contexts.

Overview & Structure

The order is divided into three main divisions:

• Civil Division – for civilian merit

• Military Division – for armed forces (with crossed swords)

• Maritime Division – for merchant navy (with anchors)

It follows a five-class system, inspired by French honors:

1. Grand Cordon

2. Grand Officer

3. Commander

4. Officer

5. Knight

Historical Background

Following Belgian independence in 1830, the newly formed nation required a national honors system. King Leopold I established the order not only for military merit, but for all forms of service to the Kingdom.

The official motto: “L’Union fait la Force / Eendracht maakt Macht” (Unity Makes Strength)

The design was approved shortly after independence and reflects strong European chivalric traditions.

Design & Insignia

Badge:

• White-enameled Maltese cross

• Silver (Knight) or gold (higher classes)

• Green enamel laurel and oak wreath between the arms

• Central medallion:

  • Obverse: Belgian lion on black enamel

  • Reverse: Monogram “LR” (Leopoldus Rex)

• Red enamel ring with bilingual motto

• Topped by a royal crown

• May include crossed swords (military) or anchors (maritime)

Ribbon

• Standard color: Purple

Special distinctions (rare variants):

• ⚔️ Crossed swords – wartime award

• ⭐ Gold or silver stars – mentioned in dispatches or merit

• 🌿 Palms – military wartime distinction

• Gold borders or stripes – exceptional acts of valor

Condition: As seen in the images.

A prestigious and historically significant Belgian order, highly sought after by collectors of royal, military, and national honors.

Original Belgian Prisoner of War Medal 1940–1945 (Krijgsgevangenenmedaille 1940–1945). The Prisoner of War Medal 1940–1945 is a Belgian war service decoration established by Royal Decree on 20 October 1947. It was awarded to members of the Belgian Armed Forces who were captured and held prisoner by Axis forces during the Second World War.

This medal honors the hardship, endurance, and sacrifice of those who experienced captivity during the war.

Award Criteria

The medal was awarded to:

• Members of the Belgian Armed Forces

• Personnel who were held as prisoners of war by Axis forces during WWII

Additional distinctions:

• Duration of captivity could be indicated by small metal bars on the ribbon

Design & Characteristics

• Material: Bronze

• Diameter: approx. 38 mm

• Total height (with crown): approx. 64 mm

Obverse:

• A downward-pointing broadsword over a Greek cross

• Dates “1940” and “1945” on the cross arms

• Laurel leaves between the arms

• Encircled by a ring of barbed wire, symbolizing imprisonment

Reverse:

• Depiction of a guard tower and prison camp fence

• Surrounded by a chain border, reinforcing the theme of captivity

Suspension:

• Topped by a prominent royal crown, attached by a pin

Ribbon

• Color: Black silk moiré

• Edge stripes: Narrow stripes in red, black, yellow, black, red

• Symbolism reflects Belgium and the dark experience of captivity

Condition: As seen in the images.

A powerful and historically significant Belgian WWII decoration, highly valued by collectors of prisoner-of-war and wartime hardship memorabilia.

Original Belgian Military Decoration for Long Service (Militair Ereteken voor Dienstanciënniteit / Décoration Militaire). The Military Decoration (Militair Ereteken) is an official Belgian military award established by Royal Decree on 22 December 1873. It is awarded to non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel and exists in two distinct categories, each recognizing different forms of service.

Informative: Belgian Military Decoration comes in two versions:

1. Long Service (Dienstanciënniteit)

• Awarded to NCOs and enlisted personnel

• Second Class: after 10 years of service

• First Class: after an additional 5 years

• Not awarded to officers (who instead receive the Military Cross)

2. Exceptional Service / Gallantry (Buitengewone Dienst)

• Awarded for acts of courage, devotion, or distinguished service

• Can be granted for a single notable act

• Also awarded to naval personnel after 20 years of service at sea

• May exceptionally be awarded in First Class

• Can be awarded to foreign non-commissioned personnel

All awards are granted by Royal Decree and officially published in the Belgian State Gazette.

Design & Characteristics

The decoration is identical across both categories and classes:

• Form: Cross pattée with four rays between each arm, surmounted by a royal crown

• Obverse: Belgian lion with the motto:

  • “L’Union fait la Force” (pre-1952)

  • “L’Union fait la Force – Eendracht maakt macht” (post-1952)

• Reverse:

  • Pre-1952: Royal monogram (Leopold II, Albert I, or Leopold III) with “Armée Mérite Ancienneté”

  • Post-1952: Belgian lion only

Ribbon Variants

The two categories are distinguished by their ribbons:

• Long Service:
  17 narrow vertical stripes in Belgian national colors (red, yellow, black), with red on the outer edges

• Exceptional Service / Gallantry:
  Red ribbon with Belgian tricolor edges (red outermost)

Additional distinctions:

• First Class: indicated by a chevron on the ribbon

• Wartime award (Article 4): may include a silver palm with royal monogram

Order of Precedence & Wear

• Worn after the decorations of the National Orders

• Takes precedence over the Military Cross (as it was established earlier)

• If both categories are awarded, the gallantry version takes precedence

• NCOs promoted to officer rank may continue to wear the decoration until eligible for the Military Cross

A highly collectible and historically important Belgian decoration, valued for both its longevity and its dual recognition of service and bravery.

Note: Price Per Piece! The one with the wrong ribbon (on the right, will be discounted to 10 EUR instead of 15 EUR – if you want this one, add it in the purchase note)

Original “Leopold III – 1934-1951” Cross Medal. Onofficial award but difficult to find. Condition as seen.