Artois 1590 liard
This specimen was lot 800 in Jean Elsen sale 133 (Brussels, June 2017), where it sold for €120 (about US$159 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ARTOIS, Comté, Philippe II (1555-1598), Cu liard, 1590, Arras. D/ B. cuir. et couronné à d. C· AR· en fin de légende. R/ Ecu couronné. Très Beau. (county of Artois, Philip II, 1555-98, copper liard of 1590, Arras mint. Obverse: armored and crowned bust to right; reverse: crowned arms. Very fine.)"
In the French system, a liard was one-fourth of a sou and weighed about 3 grams; the liard of Artois was a little heavier so we surmise that it was worth more.
Reported Mintage: unknown.
Specification: copper, this specimen 5,45 g.
Catalog reference: G.H. 232-9d; Dewismes 225.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 133, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2017.
- 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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