Leo Baekeland (1863-1944) earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Ghent when he was just 21 years old. A few years later, he won a competition open to recent graduates from Belgian universities. This gold medal is part of his prize. The obverse has a portrait bust facing left and “LEOPOLD II ROI / DES BELGES.” The reverse has “CONCOURS DE L’ENSEIGNEMENT SUPERIEUR DE 1886-1887” and “BAEKELANDT, L° / premier / en science / chimiques.” The HART, F.” inscription refers to the artist.