Belgium 1849-1865: The Epaulettes and Medallion Issues & Numeral/Town Cancel Identification

1849 Scott 2 20c blue  "Leopold I"
"18 Line" Horizontal Barred "24" Cancel: Brussels

Into the Deep Blue
On July 1, 1849, Belgium issued two stamps, affectionately known as the "Epaulettes" because of said prominence of them on King Leopold I's military uniform on the stamp design, and ushered in Belgium stamp philately.

Some classicists believe the design has never been surpassed, and even today it has a curiously modern feel.

They and their close offspring, the "Medallions", issued until 1865, will get a close look with this blog post.

The original Belgium blog post (with BB checklist) is here.

Because this post will include a list of over 455 Belgian towns/villages that existed prior to 1866, I am including here a rather detailed map of Belgium (sourced from Wikimedia Commons), engraved in 1866, and divided into four quadrants so the map towns/villages will be more easily visible for the reader. If you would like to locate a certain named Belgian town/village that had a post office during this era, refer to these maps!

Left Upper Quadrant Belgium 1866 Map

Right Upper Quadrant Belgium 1866 Map

Left Lower Quadrant Belgium 1866 Map

Right lower Quadrant Belgium 1866 Map

A closer look at the stamps and issues
100 Centimes - 1 Franc

1849 Scott 1 10c brown "Leopold I"

The lower denomination was the 10 centimes brown, and could be sent on a letter for a distance of up to 30 kilometers (18 miles). (If you didn't know it before, you know it now- Belgium is a small country. ;-)

The issue was engraved in Brussels, is imperforate, and has Wmk 96 - Two "L's" Framed. We will look at watermarks in a bit.

CV for the brown color in Scott (major number) is $100.

1849 Scott 1c dark brown

I believe this is the dark brown color (Scott 1c), and actually has a lessor CV ($85) than the major number (brown). Other colors listed in Scott include red brown (Scott 1a) and bister brown (Scott 1b).

A specialized Belgium country catalogue (1998 Catalogue Officiel de Timbres-Poste: Belgique - in French) I acquired lists nine colors for the stamp!

Production of the 10 centimes and the 20 centimes denomination was 5,250,000 for each.

1849 Scott 2 20c blue 
"17 Line" Horizontal Barred "22" Cancel: Braine-Le-Comte

The 20 centimes could be used throughout the country. Note that there is no country name on the stamp, similar to Great Britain's one penny black ( and subsequent British stamps).  In fact, Belgium did not put the country name on their stamps until 1869.

Also note only the French language on the stamp? French was traditionally the language of the wealthy classes and the Belgian government. It was not until 1898 that Flemish (Dutch) received official status alongside French. And no Flemish inscription appeared on a Belgian stamp until 1891.

CV in Scott for the 20 centimes is $50+. There are three minor numbers in Scott for color variations. The Belgian country catalogue I have lists six colors for plate I, and four colors for plate II.

The Epaulettes were officially superseded in 1859, but remained legal until July 1, 1866, when, following his (Leopold I) death, all stamps bearing his portrait were no longer valid.

1850 Scott 3 10c brown

Wmk 96: Two "L's" Framed

But the Epaulettes issue quickly had competition, as the so called engraved imperforate "Medallion" stamps ( because of the circular medallion window with the Leopold I visage inside) were quickly produced starting in October, 1849 with the 40c carmine rose. Rumor has it that Leopold did not like the "Epaulettes" ironically for that reason: he thought they made him look childish.

Anyway, the Epaulettes were gone from the Medallion design.

The three stamp Medallions of 1849-50 consisted of the 10c brown, the 20c blue, & the 40c carmine rose. CV is $60+ & $100 for the 20c blue & 10c brown respectively. They can be found on both thick paper (Papier moyen)  and thin paper (Papier mince).

They are distinguished from subsequent issues by the watermark - two "L's" framed - (Wmk 96), the same watermark as found on the Epaulettes issue.

Top Row:Two "L's" Framed (Wmk 96)

Bottom Row: Two "L's" Without Frame (Wmk 96a)

The watermarks are usually not too difficult to determine.

Wmk 96 (Two "L's" Framed) are found on the 1849 Epaulettes issue and the 1849-50 Medallion issue.

Wmk 96a (Two "L's" without Frame) are found on the 1851-54 Medallion issue.

Subsequent medallion issues (1858-61 Imperforated; 1863-65 Perforated) are unwatermarked.

1851 Scott 6 10c brown; Thick Wove paper;

Wmk 96a: Two "L's" Without Frame 
"17 Line" Horizontal Barred "25" Cancel: Charleroi

As mentioned above, the 1851-54 Medallion issue (10c brown, 20c blue, 40c carmine rose) is distinguished from the previous 1849-50 Medallion issue by having the Wmk 96a watermark.

The major numbers in Scott are on thick wove paper (Papier epais). CV is $8 for the 10c brown.

1851 Scott 6b 10c brown; Thin to Medium Wove Paper

Wmk 96a: Two "L's" Without Frame 

The minor numbers in Scott for the 1851-54 issue is for thin to medium wove paper. The Belgian catalogue lists the paper as "thin parchment" (Papier parchemine mince) .

CV is $9 for the 10c brown.

1851 Scott 7 20c blue: Thick Wove paper

Wmk 96a: Two "L's" Without Frame 
"17 Line" Horizontal Barred "25" Cancel: Charleroi

CV for the thick wove paper major number 20 centimes blue is $8, quite inexpensive.

I wish I could tell you that it is a slam dunk to tell the difference between thick and medium wove paper. Unfortunately, for me, it is a judgement call. 

1851 Scott 7b 20c blue: Thin to Medium Wove Paper

Wmk 96a: Two "L's" Without Frame 
"18 Line" Horizontal Barred "4" Cancel: Anvers

CV for the thin to medium wove paper 20c blue is $8+.

This might be a good time to bring up the topic of the barred cancellations seen on the Epaulettes and Medallion stamps. Each of the barred cancellations have a number in the center, referring to a specific town of origin. 

The most commonly seen barred cancellations are oriented horizontal to the center number (Bureaux de Perception).

The first grouping was released at the same time as the Epaulettes issue (July 1, 1849). They all have 17 lines for bars, and number from "1" to "135". The exception is "4" Anvers, "24" Brussels, "45" Gand, and "73" Liege, which are 18 line horizontal bars.

Then, beginning August 1, 1850 throughout the "Medallion" era,  "17 line" barred horizontal cancellations numbers 137-175 were gradually added for new villages/towns. Also, nine new villages substituted for older ones on numbers between 6-131.

Finally, beginning January, 1857, "8 line" barred horizontal cancellations numbers 2-208 (69 villages/towns) were added or substituted for previously assigned numbers/towns.

Of interest, the CV for the various town cancellations on horizontal bars do not vary tremendously - 5X at the most extreme. However, the higher numbered cancellations tend to have higher CV's.

There were also vertical barred cancellations as oriented to the center number used during this time (Bureaux de Distribution), but they tend to be more scarce and truly are an area for the Belgian specialist. They initially consisted of "18 line" barred vertical cancellations from "1" to "63" (July 1, 1849). Then, beginning October, 1850, "18 line" barred vertical cancellations numbers 1-145 were added or substituted for previously assigned numbers/towns.

I don't have any examples of the rarer vertical barred cancellations. But if the reader is interested in diving deep into this, seek out a Belgium "Catalogue Officiel de Timbres-Poste" catalogue, or find a copy of the Barefoot booklet (1978) on Belgium Numeral Cancels 1849-1866. The booklet is titled "European Philately 2". A more recent publication available is Obliterations Belges 1849-1910 (B.123).

Luckily, I have both older resources. In a pinch, the reader can ask in the comments section, and I should be able to reply using these sources.

Well, what about identifying the more common horizontal barred cancellations? I suspect the reader would appreciate a listing table of these numbers/towns, so the village/town on the Epaulletes/Medallion stamp can be recognized. A search of the internet did not find a readily available identification table for the WW collector.

Well, luck is with you! I will extract the information from the above sources for the barred horizontal cancellations, and link the numbers with their villages/towns. You will find the table in a special section below (scroll down).

1861 Scott 11 20c blue: 22mm high, 17.5 mm wide, Oval 17 1/4 mm high

1851 Scott 7 20c blue: 21 mm high, 18 mm wide, Oval 16 1/2 mm high

There is a bit of trickery thrown into collecting the Medallion stamps, and that is not all of them are the same size! This information is somewhat buried in Scott, and easy to miss.

The first grouping of Medallions from 1849-1858 are shorter and wider than the second grouping of Medallions from 1861-1865. One will need to be careful, especially with the 1858 and 1861 issue, to differentiate the two sizes. More about that soon.

1851 Scott 8 40c carmine rose

Wmk 96a: Two "L's" Without Frame 

The final stamp for the 1851 three stamp issue with Wmk 96a is the 40c carmine rose.

It is import to identify the watermark, as an identical 1858 stamp is unwatermarked.

I should mention that the 1851 issue is also found on ribbed paper, issued in 1854, and has a much higher CV.

1858 Scott 12b 40c vermilion

Unwmk; 21 mm high
"18 Line" Horizontal Barred "4" Cancel: Anvers

Now comes the issue that is most buried in Scott, with minor numbers yet!

In 1858, a 10c brown, a 20c blue, and a 40c vermilion that are unwatermarked were issued.

They are given minor numbers 10b,11b,12b respectively.

CV is $10+ for the 10c brown and 20c blue, and $110 for the 40c vermilion.

They can be identified from the 1861 unwatermarked issue by the fact that they shorter and wider with less high ovals than the same denomination 1861 issue!

Of course, one needs to be sure these stamps are unwatermarked, as watermarked ones (96a) belong to the 1851 issue. ;-)

1861 Scott 9 1c green

Unwmk; 22 mm high

The 1861 issue is also unwatermarked and consists of five denominations.

They are also taller (22 mm), less wide (17.5 mm), with an taller oval measurement of 17 1/4 mm.

I find that that the "22 mm" measurement specified in the catalogues is often more like 21.5 mm. Still, they are clearly taller than the shorter 21 mm stamps of 1858 and earlier.

The oval (measured from inside the white edging of the oval) does indeed seem to be 17 1/4 mm tall. Recall that the shorter stamps are 16 1/2 mm vertically inside the oval.

The stamps of the 1861 issue, where measurement is important, are the 10c brown, 20c blue, and the 40c vermilion, in order to differentiate form the "shorter" 1858 unwatermarked issue.

The 1c green depicted here was a new denomination for the 1861 issue. The 1 centime denomination was intended for newspapers and printed matter.

CV is $125.

Scott lists three minor number color variations.

1861 Scott 10 10c brown

Unwmk; 22 mm high

The 10c brown only has a CV of $9, so should be somewhat common in collections. Measure this unwatermarked stamp to make sure it is not the 1858 shorter variety (CV $10+).

1861 Scott 10a 10c dark brown

Unwmk

This appears to be the darker brown variety. CV is $11.

1861 Scott 10a 10c dark brown

Strip of Three

The Scott Classic 1840-1940 catalogue gives values for this issue for pairs, strips of three, strips of four, and blocks of four. The nominal CV for a 10c brown strip of three is $50+, although here no doubt less because the strip is cut into along the top.

1861 Scott 11 20c blue
Unwmk, 22 mm high

Check the height for the unwatermarked 1861 20c blue (CV $9). The shorter 21mm 1858 unwatermarked 20c blue is CV $10+.

1861 Scott 12 40c vermilion
Unwmk; 22 mm high

This is the major number "vermilion" 40c (CV $150), although I do have a minor number Scott 12a carmine rose also (CV $150). The vermilion color stamp was measured to make sure it was not a 1858 shorter variety (CV $110) .

1863 Scott 13b 1c green

Perf 12 1/2 X 13 1/2

All of the issues discussed so far have been imperforate.

Well, that changed on March 31, 1863, with a Perf 12 1/2 issue consisting of a 1c, 10c, 20c, and 40c Medallion denominations (minor numbers in Scott).

On August 6, 1863, the perfs were changed to 12 1/2 X 13 1/2 (minor numbers in Scott).

The 1c green shown here has this perf. CV is $40+. Note that it is usual that the perfs will cut into the design.

Then on May 8, 1865, the perfs were changed to 14 1/2. (major numbers in Scott).

Of interest, this 1c green might show a town circular date cancellation (although the town is unreadable). They came into common use after 1866.

1863 Scott 14c 10c brown

Perf 12 1/2 X 13 1/2

Here is another example of Perf 12 1/2 X 13 1/2, this time on the 10c brown. CV is only $4. Note the perfs are quite off, especially the horizontal perfs here.

In my collection, I also have a Scott 14b Perf 12 1/2  10c brown. It is clearly important to check perfs, as there are three possibilities!

1865 Scott 15 20c blue

Perf 14 1/2
Lozenge Dots "217" Cancel: Liege

Here is a Scott major number 20c blue with Perf 14 1/2.

CV is $3+.

What is perhaps more interesting is the cancel: A Lozenge Dots Numeral variety.

The Lozenge Dots (obviously modeled on the 1852 French "petits chiffres" type) were introduced in 1864, and replaced the bars numeral cancellation. They were used until 1866, when town circular date cancels generally replaced them. There are some 455 numerals/towns known to have been used.

And because I am interested these cancel/town identifications, and it would be an important resource for WW collectors, I will also list these numerals/towns in a section following. !!!

1851 Scott 6 10c brown
"18 Line" Horizontal Barred "24" Cancel: Brussels

Numeral Horizontal Bar Cancels List
At the very beginning of the Belgian Epaulettes issue (July 1, 1849), there were some 135 numeral cancels, each designating a Belgian town. Most of these were of the 17 bar line variety, although significantly, "4" Anvers, "24" Bruxelles, "45" Gand, and "73" Liege were 18 bar types. Then, more towns/numbers were added or substituted after August, 1850 during the Medallion stamp era, bringing the numerals up to 175. Finally, after January 1, 1857, 8 line bar types were added for additional towns or substituted for numbers used earlier. The horizontal bar numerals ended at 208.

This list was compiled by interpolating from two sources: the 1998 Belgium Catalogue Officiel de Timbres-Poste, and the Barefoot (1978) European Philately 2 Booklet titled "Belgium Numeral Cancels 1849-1866". They don't always have the same information. I list here the better/more specific one.

(There is an additional excellent resource that I acquired after I was done compiling the lists:
Gespecialiseerde Catalogus van Belgische Afstempelingen 1849-1910 Catalogue Specialise des Obliterations Belges, -1999.

For those truly interested in pursuing town cancel numbers for Belgium during the years 1849-1910, I highly recommend obtaining this book.)

One can assume that a town has a 17 bar line variety, unless I indicate otherwise. Some towns have multiple bar types that were used, and that will be noted. One can assume that any 8 bar type was used only after January 1, 1857.

Be aware that the Numeral Bar Cancellations were available from 1849 to 1864, when the Lozenge Dots Numeral cancels replaced them.

1851 Scott 6 10c brown
"17 Line" Horizontal Barred "56" Cancel: Harlebeke

Numeral Horizontal Bar Cancels List (Continued)

Assume there is a 17 line Numeral Bar Cancel for a town unless indicated otherwise

1 Aerschot
2 Alost (+ 8 bars)
3 Andenne
4 Anvers (18 bar only)
5 Arlon
6 Assche
   Blankenberghe (1855)
7 Ath
8 Aubel
9 Audenaerde
10 Avelghem
11 Aywaille
12 Barvaux
13 Bastogne
14 Beaumont
15 Beauraing
16 Beveren
17 Beverloo
18 Binche (+ 8 bars)
19 Boom
20 Bouillon
21 Brossu (+ 8 bars)
22 Braine-le-Comte
23 Bruges (+ 14 bars)
24 Bruxelles (+ 8, 10, 14, 18, or 26 bars)
25 Charleroi
26 Chatelet
     Chatelineau (1850)
27 Chimay
28 Ciney
29 Courtrai (+ 8 bars)
30 Couvin
31 Deynze
32 Dienst (+ 8 bars)
33 Dinant
34 Dison
35 Dixmude (+ 8 bars)
36 Dolhain-Limbourg
37 Eecloo (+ 8 bars)
38 Enghien
39 Fleurus
40 Florennes
41 Florenville
42 Fontaine-l-Eveque
43 Fosses
44 Furnes
45 Gand (8, +14, or + 18 bars only)
46 Gedinne
47 Gembloux
48 Genappe
49 Gheel
50 Gosselies

1851 Scott 6 10c brown
"17 Line" Horizontal Barred "95" Cancel: Perwez

Numeral Horizontal Bar Cancels List (Continued)

Assume there is a 17 line Numeral Bar Cancel for a town unless indicated otherwise

51 Grammont

52 Mabay-la-Neuve

53 Halle

54 Hamme

55 Hannut

56 Harlebeke

57 Hasselt (+ 8 bars)

58 Heer

59 Herenthals

60 Herve

61 Houffalize

62 Huy (+ 8 bars)

63 Iseghem (+ 8 bars)

64 Jemeppe

65 Jemappes

66 Jodoigne

67 La Roche (+ 8 bars)

68 Le fayt 

     La Louviere (1850)

69 Lens

     Overpelt (1853)

70 Le Roeulx

     Farciennes (1856)

71 Lessines

72 Leuze

73 Liege (+ 18 bars)

74 Lierre (+ 8 bars)

75 Lokeren

76 Louvain

77 Maeseyck

78 Malines

79 Marche (+ 8 bars)

80 Marchienne-au-Pont (+ 8 bars)

81 Mariembourg

     Cappelle-au-Bois (1854)

82 Menin (+ 8 bars)

83 Mons (+ 8 bars)

84 Mouscron

85 Namur

86 Neufchateau

87 Nieuport (+ 8 bars)

88 Ninove

89 Nivelles

90 Ostende

91 Pecq

     Frameries (1858 - 8 bars only)

92 Peer

93 Pepinster

94 Peruweiz

95 Perwez

96 Philippeville

97 Poperinghe

98 Puers

99 Quievrain

100 Renaix

1851 Scott 6 10c brown
"17 Line" Horizontal Barred "100" Cancel: Renaix

Numeral Horizontal Bar Cancels List (Continued)

Assume there is a 17 line Numeral Bar Cancel for a town unless indicated otherwise

101 Rochefort
102 Roulers
103 Saint-Ghislain
104 Saint-Hubert
105 Saint-Nicolas
106 Saint-Trond
107 Seneffe
       Mange (1858)
108 Soignies
109 Sottegem
110 Spa
111 Spy
       Moustier (1850)
112 Stavelot
113 Tamise
114 Termonde
115 Thielt
116 Thourout (+ 8 bars)
117 Thuin
118 Tirlemont
119 Tongress
120 Tournai (+ 8 bars)
121 Tubize
122 Turnhout
123 Verviers
123A1 Verviers, annexe 1 (1855-56)
124 Vielsalm
125 Vilvorde (+ 8 bars)
126 Virton
127 Vise
128 Waereghem
129 Waremme
130 Wavre
131 Wervicq
132 Wetteren
133 Ypres
134 Zele
135 Zelzaete
136 Mechelen (1850 - According to Barefoot. The Catalogue source says 17 lined horizontal barred "136" number never attributed. Of interest, there is a 18 lined vertical barred "Mechelen Sur Meuse listed in the catalogue.)
       Mariembourg (1857 - 8 bars only)
137 Aeltre (1850)
138 Chaudfontaine (1850)
139 Landen (1850)
140 Brasschaet (1850)
       Herbesthal (1857-8 bars only)
141 Oostmalle (1850)
       Aubange (1857 - 8 bars only)
       Frameries (1858 - Catalogue source does not list.)
       Messancy (1863 - 8 bars only)
142 Westerloo (1850)
143 Ghistelles (1850)
       Lanaeken (1857- 8 bars only)
144 Somerghem (1850)
       Duffel (1857)
145 Oosterzeele (1850)
       Vertryck (1857-8 bars only)
146 Mettet (1850)
       Fexhe-le-Haut-Clocher (1857)
147 Eghezee (1850)
148 Walcourt (1850)
149 Solre-sur-Sambre (1850)
       Erquelinnes (1863)
150 Ruysbroeck (1850)

1861 Scott 12 40c vermilion

"17 Line" Horizontal Barred "123" Cancel: Verviers

Numeral Horizontal Bar Cancels List (Continued)

Assume there is a 17 line Numeral Bar Cancel for a town unless indicated otherwise up to 175

Numbers 176-208 exist only as 8 bars cancellations

151 Contish (1850)

152 Plasschenendaele (1850)

       Melle (1857)

153 Bloemendaele (1850)

154 Audegem (1850)

       Plasschendaele (1857 - 8 bars only)

155 Ans (1850)

156 Chenee (1850)

157 Nessonvaux (1850)

158 Esaussinnes (1850)

159 Luttre (1850)

160 Roux (1850)

161 Farciennes (1850)

       Chievre Attres (1857 - 8 bars only)

162 Tamines (1850)

163 Floreffe (1850)

164 Thulin (1850)

165 Jurbise (1850) ( Barefoot source also adds 8 bars.)

166 Brugelette (1850)

167 Chievre Attres (1850)

       Nechin (1857)

168 Ottingnes (1858 - 8 bars only)

169 Templeuve (1850)

170 Nechin (1850)

       Hansbeke (1858 - 8 bars only)

171 Barry-Maude (1850)

       Lens (1858 - 8 bars only)

172 Trooz (1858 - 8 bars only)

173 Denderleeux (1858 - 8 bars only)

174 Antoing (1850)

175 Ensival (1851)

The remaining numbers exist only as 8 bars cancellations

176 Herstal (1858 - 8 bars)

177 Ternath (1859-8 bars)

178 Esschen (1859-8 bars)

179 Buggenhout (1860-8 bars)

180 Gouy-lex-Pieton (1863-8 bars)

181 Laeken (1860-8 bars)

182 Lede (1864-8 bars)

183 Londerzeel (1860-8 bars)

184 Mariemont (1860-8 bars)

185 Seraing (1860-8 bars)

186 Dour (1860-8 bars)

187 Lanklaer (1860-8 bars)

188 Assche (1860-8 bars)

189 Nameche (1860-8 bars)

190 Havelange (1860-8 bars)

191 Wellin (1860-8 bars)

192 Warenton (1860-8 bars )

193 Etalle (1860-8 bars)

194 Glons (1860-8 bars)

195 Bree (1860-8 bars)

196 Paliseul (1860-8 bars)

197 Gosselies-Courcelles (1860-8 bars)

198 Mont-St-Guibert (1860-8 bars)

199 Auvelais  (1861-8 bars)

200 Uccle (1861-8 bars)

201 Anderlecht (1861- 8 bars)

202 Fleron (1862-8 bars)

203 Gilly (1862-8 bars)

204 Jumet (1862-8 bars)

205 Paturages (1862-8 bars)

206 Vieux-Dieu (1862-8 bars)

207 Esneux (1862-8 bars)

208 St. Joose-Ten-Node - 8 bars (Barefoot source does not list.)

End of List

1861 Scott 12 40c vermilion
Lozenge Dots "153" Cancel: Gosselies-Courcelles

Numeral in Lozenge of Dots Cancel Town List
On April 15, 1864, a new cancel was introduced, and replaced the bars numeral cancellation. These attractive cancels can be found for some 455 numerals/Belgian towns. They were primarily in use until 1866, when town circular date cancels gradually replaced them. The Numeral in Lozenge of Dots Cancel was formally withdrawn on March 10, 1873. Rather shockingly, the French language Belgium Country specialty catalogue "Catalogue Officiel de Timbres-Poste" does not have a numeral/town list. The Barefoot (1978) European Philately 2 Booklet titled "Belgium Numeral Cancels 1849-1866" does have them. I apologize in advance for not including the accents over the French vowels for this list. My bad.

1 Aeltre
2 Aerschot
3 Alost
4 Alveringhem
5 Amay
6 Andenne
7 Cureghem
8 Annevoire
9 Ans
10 Anthee
11 Antoing
12 Anvers
13 Ardenne
14 Ardoye
15 Arendonck
16 Arlon
17 Assche
18 Assesse
19 Ath
20 Aubel
21 Audenaerde
22 Auvelais
23 Avelghem
24 Aywaille
25 Anvaing
26 Assenede
27 Attert
28 Barry
29 Barvaux
30 Basecles
31 Bastogne
32 Beaumont
33 Beauraing
34 Beeringen
35 Beloeil
36 Berchem
37 Bertrix
38 Beveren
39 Beverloo
40 Bilsen
41 Binche
42 Blankenberghe
43 Blaton
44 Bloemendaele
45 Boitsfort
46 Boom
47 Boortmeerbeek
48 Bouillon
49 Boussu
50 Bouwel
51 Bracquegnies
52 Braine-l ' Alleud
53 Braine-le-Comte
54 Brasschaet
55 Brecht
56 Bree
57 Brugelette
58 Brugges
59 Bruly (Le)
60 Bruxelles
61 Ixelles
62 Bruxelles (Midi)
63 Bruxelles (Nord)
64 Molenbeek
65 Buggenhout
66 Burdinne
67 Basel
68 Baudour
69 Berchem-lez-Anvers
70 Anvers (station)
71 Calmpthout
72 Cappelle-au-Bois
73 Cappellen
74 Celles
75 Cerfontaine
76 Champion
77 Charleroi
78 Chatelineau
79 Chaudfontaine
80 Chenee
81 Chievres-Attres
82 Chimay
83 Ciney
84 Comblain-au-Pont
85 Combines
86 Contich
87 Courtrai
88 Court-St-Etienne
     Cortenberg
89 Couvin
90 Cruyshautem
91 Couillet
92 Cherain
     Gouvy
93 Denderleeuw
94 Deynze
95 Diest
96 Dinant
97 Dison
98 Dixmude
99 Dolhain-Limbourg
100 Dottignies

1863 Scott 14c 10c brown
Lozenge Dots "155" Cancel: Grammont

Numeral in Lozenge of Dots Cancel Town List (Continued)

101 Dour

102 Duffel

103 Doel

104 Deux-Acren

105 Ecaussinnes

106 Eecke-Nazareth

107 Eeckeren

108 Eecloo

109 Eghezee

110 Enghien

111 Engies

112 Ensival

113 Erezee

114 Erquelinnes

115 Ertvelde

116 Esneux

117 Esschen

118 Etalle

119 Evergem

120 Esemael

121 Ernegem

122 Haine-Saint-Pierre

123 Farciennes

124 Feluy-Arguennes

125 Fexhe-le-Haut-Clocher

126 Flemalle

127 Fleron

128 Fleurus

129 Floreffe

130 Florennes

131 Florenville

132 Fontaine-l-Eveque

133 Fosses

134 Fraiture

135 Frameries

136 Frasnes

137 Furnes

138 Forest

139 Gand (station)

140 Gand (Saint-Sauveur)

141 Gand

142 Gavere

143 Gedinne

144 Gembloux

145 Genappe

146 Gerpinnes

147 Gheel

148 Ghistelles

149 Gilly

150 Givry

151 Glons

152 Gosselies

153 Gosselies-Courcelles

154 Gouy-lez-Pieton

155 Grammont

156 Grez-Doiceau

157 Grupont

158 Gysegem

159 Gingelom

160 Gand (faubourg de Bruges)

161 Hennuyeres

162 Habay-la-Neuve

163 Hal

164 Hameau

       Ham-sur-Heure

165 Hamme

166 Hamme-Mille

167 Hannut

168 Hansbeke

169 Harlebeke

170 Hasselt

171 Havelange

172 Havinnes

173 Havre

174 Heer

175 Herbesthal

176 Herck-la-Ville

177 Herenthals

178 Herstal

179 Herve

180 Herzele

181 Heyst-op-den-Berg

182 Hoogstraeten

183 Hotton

184 Houffalize

185 Hougaerde

186 Huy

187 Haecht

188 Haversin

189 Marche

       Hooglede

190 Heron

191 Ingelmunster

192 Iseghem

193 Isque

194 Jamoigne

195 Jauche

196 Jemappes

197 Jemeppe

198 Jodoigne

199 Jurmet

200 Jurbise

1863 Scott 14c 10c brown
Lozenge Dots "226" Cancel: Louvain

Numeral in Lozenge of Dots Cancel Town List (Continued)

201 Lille-St-Hubert-Neerpelt
202 Laeken
203 La Hulpe
204 La Louviere
205 Lanaeken
206 Landen
207 Langemarck
208 Lanklaer
209 Laroche
210 Leau
211 Lede
212 Lennicq-Saint-Quentin
213 Lens
214 Lessines
215 Leuze
216 Lichtervelde
217 Liege
218 Lierre
219 Ligne
220 Lillo
221 Lodelinsart
222 Lokaren
223 Loderzeel
224 Loochristy
225 Looz
226 louvain
227 Luttre
228 Landegem
229 Loth
230 Liege (Guillemins)
231 Maeseyck
232 Maldegem
233 Malines
234 Manage
235 Marbais
236 Marbehan
237 Marche
238 Marchienne-au-Pont
239 Mariembourg
240 Mariemont
241 Martelange
242 Melle
243 Menin
244 Marbes-le-Chateau
245 messancy
246 Messines
247 Mettet
248 Meulebeke
249 Moerbeke
250 Moll
251 Momignies
252 Mons
253 Mont-St-Guibert
254 Montzen
255 Moorslede
256 Morialme
257 Mouscron
258 Moustier
259 Merckem
260 Merchtem
261 Godarville
262 Gammerages
263 Nameche
264 Namur
265 Nandrin
266 Nechin
267 Nederbrakel
268 Nessonvaux
269 Neufchateau
270 Nieuport
271 Ninove
272 Nivelles
273 Nylen
       Neufvilles
274 Nevelle
275 Neuve-Eglise
276 Obourg
277 Ocquier
278 Oosterzeele
279 Oostmalle
280 Oostvleteren
281 Orchimont
282 Oreye
283 Ostende
284 Ottignies
285 Hamoir
286 Lommel (Overpelt)
287 Oostcamp
288 Jupille
289 Paliseul
290 Paturages
291 Peer
292 Pepinster
293 Peruwelz
294 Perwez
295 Philippeville
296 Plasschendaele
297 Poix
298 Pommeroeul
299 Poperinghe
300 Puers

1865 Scott 16a 40c carmine rose 
Lozenge Dots "63" Cancel: Bruxelles (Nord)

Numeral in Lozenge of Dots Cancel Town List (Continued)

301 Putte
302 Pont-a-Celles
303 Quaregnon
304 Quevy
305 Quievrain
306 Ransart
307 Rance
308 Rebaix
309 Libramont
310 Renaix
311 Rhisne
312 Rochefort
313 Roclenge
314 Le Roeulx
315 Roulers
316 Rousbrugge
317 Roux
318 Ruysbroeck
319 Ruysselede
320 Saventhem
321 Sainte-Cecile
322 Saint-Ghislain
323 Saint-Gilles-Waes
324 Saint-Hubert
325 Saint-Josse-Ten-Noode
326 Saint-Laurent
327 Saint-Leger
328 Saint-Nicolas
329 Saint-Trond
330 Sandthoven
331 Selzaete
332 Seraing
333 Sibret
334 Silly
335 Sivry
336 Soignies
337 Sombreffe
338 Sommergem
339 Sottegem
340 Spa
341 Staden
342 Stavelot
343 Stekene
344 Sweveghem
345 Synem
346 Schellebelle
347 Scheldewindeke
348 Tamines
349 Tamise
350 Tempeuve
351 Termonde
352 Ternath
353 Tervueren
354 Terwagne
355 Theux
356 Thielen
357 Thielt
358 Thourout
359 Thuin
360 Thulin
361 Tirlemont
362 Tongres
363 Tournai
364 Tronchiennes
365 Trooz
366 Tubize
367 Turnhout
368 Tessenderloo
369 Uccle
370 Taintegnies
371 St-Gilles (Bruxelles)
372 Roisin
373 Vertryck
374 Verviers
375 Vielsalm
376  Vierres
377 Vieux-Dieu
378 Vilvorde
379 Virton
380 Vise
381 Villers-la-Ville
382 Wasmes
383 Wacken
384 Waereghem
385 Waerschoot
386 Waesmunster
387 Walcourt
388 Wandre
389 Wareme
390 Warnaut-Dreye
391 Warneton
392 Waterloo
393 Wavre
394 Weert-St-Georges
395 Wellin
396 Werbomont
397 Wervicq
398 Wespelaer
399 Westcapelle
400 Westerloo

1865 Scott 16a 40c carmine rose "Leopold I"

12 1/2 X 13 1/2 Perf
Lozenge Dots "374" Cancel: Verviers

Numeral in Lozenge of Dots Cancel Town List (Continued)

401 Wetteren

402 Willebroeck

403 Winghe-St-Georges

404 Wuestwezel

405 Wyngene

406 Weerde

407 Wolverthem

408 Ypres

409 Yvoir

410 Zele

411 Jette

412 Jabbeke

413 Liege (Outre-Meuse)

414 Bruxelles (Rus de la loi)

415 Flobecq

416 Anvers-Bassins

       Bruxelles (rue Rogier)

417 Bruxelles (Josaphat)

418 Lembecq 

419 Saintes

420 Ghlin

421 Blandain

422 Bassilly

423 Ghislenghien

424 Bruxelles (Luxembourg)

425 La Pinte

426 Surice

428 Namur (station)

429 Braine-le-Chateau

430 Olsene

431 Moerhout

432 Ougree

433 Corbeek-Loo

434 Malderen

435 Morgerhout

436 Merxem 

437 Houdeng-Goegnies

438 Melderen

       Nimy

439 Harmignies

440 Vedrin

441 Estinnes-Houlchin

442 Jambes

443 Seneffe

444 Wevelghem

445 Heyst

446 Baestrode

447 Charleroy (fg.)

448 Ledeberg

449 Schaerbeek

450 Cureghem (station)

451 Lincent

452 Remicourt

453 Rosoux-Goyer

454 Mons (station)

455 Bruxelles (rue Blaes)

End of List

1851 Scott 6 10c brown

"17 Line" Horizontal Barred "65" Cancel: Jemappes

Out of the Blue
Whew, that was a lot of "value added" work, but worth it. ;-)

The collector should now know more about the Epaulettes and Medallion issues, and be able to identify the towns for the Numeral Horizontal Bar cancels (1849-1864),  and the Numeral in Lozenge of Dots cancels (1864-1866+) in their collection.

Note: Map is from Wikimedia Commons, and is A. J. Johnson's 1866 map of Holland and Belgium.

Comments appreciated!