Austrian Netherlands 1759(a) kronenthaler Dav-1283
This specimen was lot 1636 in Jean Elsen sale 145 (Brussels, September 2020), where it sold for €120 (about US$171 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BRABANT, Duché, François Ier (1745-1765), AR couronne, 1759, Bruxelles. D/ Aigle impériale couronnée, entourée du collier de la Toison d'or. R/ Croix de Bourgogne entre trois couronnes. Très Beau. (duchy of Brabant, Francis I, 1745-65, silver kronenthaler of 1759, Brussels mint. Obverse: crowned imperial eagle, Order of the Golden Fleece around; reverse: Burgundian cross between three crowns, decorated with the jewels of the Order of the Golden Fleece. Very 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. This type was struck for Francis I 1755-65 and was intended to replace the old patagons and ducatons struck by the Spanish. A similar type (Dav-1282) was also struck in Antwerp and Brussels in the name of Maria Theresia. During the reign of Joseph II, kronenthalers were struck all over the Hapsburg empire.
Reported Mintage: 456,000 including Dav-1282.
Specification: 29.44 g, 0.873 fine silver, this specimen 29,41 g.
Catalog reference: KM 22, W. 1139; Delm-384; V.H. 830.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 145, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2020.
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