Austrian Netherlands 1779(a) kronenthaler Dav-1282
This specimen was lot 1438 in Jean Elsen sale 154 (Brussels, March 2023), where it sold for €85 (about US$110 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BRABANT, Duché, Marie-Thérèse (1740-1780), AR couronne, 1779, Bruxelles. D/ Croix de Bourgogne entre quatre couronnes. R/ Ecu couronné de l'impératrice sur une aigle impériale. Traces d'ajustage. Très Beau à Superbe. Dans le Trouvaille de Labuissière. (duchy of Brabant, Maria Theresia, 1740-80, silver kronenthaler of 1779, Brussels mint. Obverse: Burgundian cross between four crowns; reverse: crowned arms of the empress over an imperial eagle. Adjustment marks, 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. This type was struck in 1755-79 during the reign of Maria Theresia (Dav-1282, shown here) and Francis I (Dav-1283). It replaced the 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.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 29.44 g, 0.873 fine silver, this specimen 29,31 g.
Catalog reference: KM 21, Dav-1282, W. 1141; Delm-388; V.H. 828.
- 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 154, Trouvaille de Labuissière, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2023.
Link to: