Artois 1584 1/20 ecu
This specimen was lot 1670 in Jean Elsen sale 145 (Brussels, September 2020), where it sold for €80 (about US$114 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ARTOIS, Comté, Philippe II (1555-1598), AR vingtième d'écu Philippe, 1584, Arras. D/ Ecu couronné, entouré du collier de la Toison d'or. R/ Croix fleuronnée. Rare. Très Beau. (county of Artois, Philip II, 1555-98, silver twentieth écu Philippe of 1584, Arras mint. Obverse: crowned arms, Order of the Golden Fleece around; reverse: floriate cross. Rare, Very Fine.)"
This type represents a very early experiment with decimal coinage, over a century before Russia adopted her hundred kopeks = one ruble. Twentieth, tenth and fifth écus were minted in Artois, Brabant, Flanders and Tournai. Artois was conquered and annexed to France soon after this coin was issued. The Arras mint would mint coins for the French king, using a rat as a mintmark.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 3,15 g.
Catalog reference: G.H. 215-9a; Dewismes 158; V.H. 310.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 145, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2020.
- van Gelder, H. Enno, and Marcel Hoc, Les Monnaies des pays-Bas Bourguignons et Espagnols, 1434-1713, Amsterdam, J. Schulman, 1960, with supplement of 1964.
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