BELGIUM. ROYAL ORDER OF THE LION 1881-1960, 5th class, Knight, type 1 (French language). Extremely Fine.
This Order was instituted by royal decrees on the 9th April and the 28th July 1891 by the King-Sovereign of the Independent state of the Congo, Leopold II. The order was created to recognise merit and special service to the Congo, although not necessarily from within the Congo. When the Congo Free State was annexed by Belgium in 1908 the Order was integrated into the Belgian awards system. The Order is in five classes,Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight (5th class). There was also a medal of the Order.
