Alphonse De Witte

Alphonse de Witte (1851–1916) was a Belgian engineer and numismatist known for his significant contributions to the study of coinage in the Low Countries. After completing his engineering studies at the Catholic University of Leuven, he inherited a substantial fortune, enabling him to devote his life to numismatics. In 1885, he became a corresponding member of the Société Royale de Numismatique de Belgique, advancing to full membership in 1886 and serving as secretary from 1897 to 1912.

De Witte’s scholarly work primarily focused on the coinage of the Duchy of Brabant. He authored numerous articles in the Revue belge de numismatique, detailing ancient coins from the region. His magnum opus, Histoire monétaire des Comtes de Louvain, Ducs de Brabant et marquis du Saint Empire Romain, was published in three volumes between 1894 and 1899 and remains a key reference for numismatists studying Brabantine coinage.

Beyond his research, de Witte was instrumental in promoting numismatics in Belgium. He organized international numismatic congresses in Brussels in 1891 and 1910, fostering scholarly exchange. Additionally, he co-founded the Société Hollandaise-Belge des Amis de la Médaille d'Art in 1901, promoting art medals. In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed vice-president of the Société Royale de Numismatique de Belgique in 1912.