Brabant (1329-37) esterlin
The first specimen was lot 607 in Jean Elsen sale 159 (Brussels, June 2024), where it sold for €60 (about US$77 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BRABANT, Duché, Jean III (1312-1355), AR esterlin à l'écu, 1329-1337, Bruxelles. D/ Ecu écartelé de Brabant-Limbourg. R/ + MONETA: BRVXELLEN' Croix fleuronnée. Très Beau. (duchy of Brabant, John III, 1312-55, silver esterlin of the shield, circa 1329-37, Brussels mint. Obverse: quartered arms of Brabant and Limburg; reverse: floriate cross. Very fine.)"
The second specimen was lot 695 in Jean Elsen sale 164 (Brussels, March 2026), where it sold for €80 (about US$111 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"BRABANT, Duché, Jean III (1312-1355), AR esterlin à l'écu, 1329-1337, Bruxelles. D/ Écu écartelé de Brabant-Limbourg. R/ + MONETA: BRVXELLEN' Croix fleuronnée. Très Beau. (duchy of Brabant, John III, 1312-55, silver esterlin of the shield, circa 1329-37. Brussels mint. Obverse: quartered arms of Brabant and Limburg; reverse: floriate cross. Very Fine.)"
Jean III succeeded to the duchies of Brabant and Limburg in 1312, when he was twelve years old. Altho neighboring Flanders was economically tied to Brabant, it was ruled by a separate dynasty. Jean's line fell extinct in 1406 and the duchy became a Valois appanage. We're guessing that this coin was one quarter of a gros tournois.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen is 1,38 g.
Catalog reference: Ghyssens p. 12, 4; W. 350.
- Roberts, James N., The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD), S. Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1996.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 159, Collection Harry Dewit, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
- [2]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 164: Monnaies du duché de Brabant et du royaume de Belgique, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.
Link to:
- (1277-94) double esterlin, Jean I, Brussels mint
- (1309-12) esterlin, Jean II, Antwerp mint
- (1309) demi-gros au chevalier (pillewille), Antwerp mint, Jean II
- Hainaut (1309) petit gros (pillewille), Guillaume I
- (1312-55) gros au saint Pierre, Jean III
- (1318-55) esterlin au châtel brabançon, Jean III, Brussels mint
- (1329-37) demi-gros à l'écu, Jean III
- (1337-55) esterlin au châtel, Maastricht mint
- (1337) gros au châtel brabançon, Jean III
- Coins and currency dated 1329