Austrian Netherlands 1777(a) 14 liards
This specimen was lot 736 in Jean Elsen sale 158 (Brussels, March 2024), where it sold for €200 (about US$260 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BRABANT, Duché, Marie-Thérèse (1740-1780), AR plaquette (14 liards), 1777, Bruxelles. D/ Croix de Bourgogne sous une couronne, accostée de la valeur. R/ Aigle impériale couronnée. Rare dans cette qualité. Superbe. (duchy of Brabant, Maria Theresia, 1740-80, silver plaquette of 14 liards of 1777, Brussels mint. Obverse: Burgundian cross divides the date, crown above; reverse: crowned imperial eagle. Rare in this quality, 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. This type was struck in 1755-63 and 1772-78 during the reign of Maria Theresia. It was probably intended to replace the ten and twenty liards. The Austrians lost Belgium to Revolutionary France in 1797. After the fall of Napoleon in 1815, Belgium passed to the king of the Netherlands.
Reported Mintage: 176,000.
Specification: 0.562 fine silver, this specimen 2,72 g.
Catalog reference: KM 18, W. 1144; VH 826.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 158, Monnaies de la Principauté de Liège, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
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