Brabant (1481-82) 2 mites
This specimen was lot 758 in Jean Elsen sale 164 (Brussels, March 2026), where it sold for €180 (about US$251 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BRABANT, Duché, Marie de Bourgogne (1477-1482), Cu double mite de Brabant, s.d., Anvers. D/ M gothique. R/ + PRO DEO DA PAVPERIBVS Croix pattée. Rare. Très Beau. (duchy of Brabant, Mary of Burgundy, 1477-82, undated copper double mite, Antwerp mint. Obverse: gothic "M"; reverse: cross pattée. Rare, Very Fine.)"
This double mite was worth one twelfth of a groat. Altho technically billon, at only 2% silver one can forgive the auctioneers for calling it copper. The hand at the top of the obverse was the Antwerp mintmark. There was also a four mites. Marie's marriage to Maximilian of Hapsburg brought Hapsburg rule to the Low Countries.
Recorded mintage: 289,862 for 1481-82.
Specification: 0.91 g, 0.020 fine silver, 19 mm diameter; this specimen 1,05 g.
Catalog reference: G.H. 48-1; W. 529; VH 64.
- Levinson, Robert, The Early Dated Coins of Europe, 1234-1500: An Illustrated Catalogue and Guide to dated medieval coinage. Clifton, NJ: Coin & Currency Institute, 2007.
- Roberts, James N., The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD), S. Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1996.
- van Gelder, H. Enno, and Marcel Hoc, Les Monnaies des pays-Bas Bourguignons et Espagnols, 1434-1713, Amsterdam, J. Schulman, 1960, with supplement of 1964.
- [1]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.
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