Austrian Netherlands 1745(l) liard
This specimen was lot 853 in Jean Elsen sale 161 (Brussels, March 2025), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"VLAANDEREN, Graafschap, Maria Theresia (1740-1780), Cu oord, 1745, Brugge. Vz/ Bb. r. Kz/ AD/ USUM/ BELGII/ AUSTR·. Krasjes. (county of Flanders, Maria Theresia, 1740-80, copper oord of 1745, Bruges mint. Obverse: bust right; reverse: inscription. Scratches, Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
Belgium, long a part of Hapsburg Spain, was awarded to Charles VI of Austria by the Treaty of Utrecht which ended the War of the Spanish Succession. Fortified by the Dutch and constantly menaced by the French, the Austrians quickly discovered Belgium to be a worthless addition to their domain. Charles neglected it and it was left to Maria Theresia to provide new coinage for it the late 1740's. The liard was the smallest denomination was 1/240 of a ducaton. This type was struck 1744-45 at Brussels (angel face mintmark), Antwerp (hand mintmark) and Bruges (lion mintmark, shown here).
Recorded mintage: 1,664,683 for 1744-45.
Specification: 3.75 g, copper, 22 mm diameter, this specimen 3,63 g.
Catalog reference: KM 1, V.K. 222; Haeck 858; VH 801.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 161, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
Link to: