The Commemorative Medal of the Reign of Leopold II
Medaille Commemorative du Règne de S. M. Léopold II

    Instituted  21st July 1905 to commemorate the 40th year of the reign of King Leopold II. The medal was to be awarded to those who had given 20 years' "good and faithful service" in the civil service or similar administrative departments, and qualified for the Civic Decoration for long service. The initial issue had the dates 1865 - 1905 on the reverse. In 1951 (allegedly due to pressure from veterans' groups) the award was further extended to Military personnel who had a minimum of one years' good and faithful service between 16th December 1865 and 18th December 1909 . This second issue had the reverse dates 1865 - 1909. In January 1952 a further extension granted the award to the Police force (Force Publique) of the Congo Free State  - again for one years' good and faithful service but between the dates 1st July 1885 and 18th December 1909. (reverse dated 1885 - 1909) Yet two further decrees of 1959 and 1960 removed the one years' service requirement from the latter two types.
    Description; circular 30 mm diameter, of gilded bronze. The medal has a ball and ring type suspension mounted on a bow design. Obverse; a laurel and oak wreath overlain by a Rupert cross which has a central oval medallion depicting the bust of Leopold II. Reverse; similar, but with the bust of Leopold replaced by the dates 1865 - 1905 (first type) 1865 - 1909 (second type) or 1885 - 1909 (third type).

Ribbon: red, with a wide central yellow band with a black central stripe.