Brabant 1581(h) 1/2 ecu
This specimen was lot 845 in Jean Elsen sale 164 (Brussels, March 2026), where it sold for €260 (about US$362 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BRABANT, Duché, Les États en révolte (1577-1581), AR demi-écu Philippe, 1581, Anvers. D/ B. cuir. à g. R/ Écu couronné sur une croix de Bourgogne, entre deux briquets, portant le bijou de la Toison d'or. Très rare. Beau à Très Beau. (duchy of Brabant, States Revolt, 1577-81, silver half écu Philippe of 1581, Antwerp mint. Obverse: armored bust left; reverse: crowned arms over a Burgundian cross between two firesteels supporting the jewels of the Golden Fleece. Very rare, Fine - Very Fine.)"
This type was struck at Antwerp (shown here), Maastricht, Brussels and Bois-le Duc 1562-66, 1571-76, 1580-82, 1585-98. There were other issues at Hainaut and Tournai. Mintage was disrupted more than once by the Dutch Revolt; this date was issued by the rebels while they were attempting to reconcile with Philip II.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 17.14 g, 0.833 fine silver, plain edge, 35 mm diameter; this specimen 16,77 g.
Catalog reference: G.H. 211-1a; Delm. 51; W. 789.
- 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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