Brabant 1587(h) 1/2 ecu
This specimen was lot 570 in Jean Elsen sale 158 (Brussels, March 2024), where it sold for €700 (about US$910 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BRABANT, Duché, Philippe II (1555-1598), AR demi-écu Philippe, 1587, Anvers. D/ B. cuir. à g. R/ Ecu couronné avec écusson de Portugal sur le tout, sur une croix de Bourgogne, entre deux briquets, portant le bijou de la Toison d'or. Rare. Flan large. Petites taches au revers. Belle patine. Très Beau à Superbe. (duchy of Brabant, Philip II, 1555-98, silver half écu Philippe of 1587, Antwerp mint. Obverse: armored bust right; reverse: crowned arms of Portugal with the escutcheon of Portugal over a Burgundian cross, between two firesteels supporting the jewels of the Golden Fleece. Rare, large planchet, small stains on the reverse, nice patina, Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
By 1586, the revolt of the southern provinces had been crushed. The Spanish rulers, among other things, restored the old écu Philippe and its fractions and struck them to the end of the reign. By this time, king Philip had added Portugal to his domain, so that shield was added to the arms.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver; this specimen 17,01 g.
Catalog reference: G.H. 211-1c; Delm-53; W. 834; VH 364.
- 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 158, Monnaies de la Principauté de Liège, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
Link to:
- 1585 lion d'or, States Revolt, Antwerp mint
- Artois 1586 demi-écu Philippe
- 1586 demi-écu Philippe, Antwerp mint
- 1586 écu Philippe, Antwerp mint
- 1587 liard, Antwerp mint
- 1587 cinquième d'écu Philippe, Antwerp mint
- 1587 écu Philippe, Antwerp mint
- 1588 écu Philippe, Antwerp mint
- 1589 demi-écu Philippe, Antwerp mint
- 1590 demi-écu Philippe, Antwerp mint
- Coins and currency dated 1587