Austrian Netherlands 1779(a) 1/2 kronenthaler
This specimen was lot 732 in Jean Elsen sale 158 (Brussels, March 2024), where it sold for €1,000 (about US$1,300 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BRABANT, Duché, Marie-Thérèse (1740-1780), AR demi-couronne, 1779, Bruxelles. D/ Croix de Bourgogne entre trois couronnes. R/ Ecu couronné de l'impératrice sur une aigle impériale. Belle patine. Rare dans cette qualité. Superbe. (duchy of Brabant, Maria Theresia, 1740-80, Obverse: Burgundian cross between four crowns; reverse: crowned arms of the empress supported by an imperial eagle. Nice patina, 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 1755-79 during the reign of Maria Theresia (KM 19, shown here) and Francis I (KM 20, struck until 1765). It replaced the half ducaton in 1755 but retained many stylistic features. 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: 93,000.
Specification: 14.72 g, 0.873 fine silver, this specimen 14,70 g.
Catalog reference: KM 21, W. 1142; Delm-390; VH 829.
- 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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