Brabant 1597(h) 1/20 ecu
This specimen was lot 863 in Jean Elsen sale 164 (Brussels, March 2026), where it sold for €40 (about US$56 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BRABANT, Duché, Philippe II (1555-1598), restauré, AR vingtième d'écu Philippe, 1597, Anvers. D/ Écu couronné, entouré du collier de la Toison d'or. R/ Croix fleuronnée. Très Beau. (duchy of Brabant, Philip II, 1555-98, silver twentieth écu Philippe of 1597, Antwerp mint. Obverse: crowned arms, Order chain around; reverse: floriate cross. Very Fine.)"
This type represents a very early experiment with decimal coinage, over a century before Russia adopted her hundred kopeks = one ruble. Half, fifth, tenth and fortieth écus Philippe were also produced. This type was struck 1571-98 at Antwerp and Maastricht and elsewhere.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.42 g, 0.417 fine silver, 26 mm diameter; this specimen 3,27 g.
Catalog reference: G.H. 215-1; W. 838; VH 310.
- 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.
Link to:
- Overijssel 1580 1/20 daalder
- Artois 1584 vingtième d'écu Philippe
- Gelderland 1586 twintigste Philipsdaalder
- Flanders 1587 twintigste Philipsdaalder
- 1593 vingtième d'écu Philippe, Antwerp mint
- Tournai 1593 vingtième d'écu Philippe
- Tournai 1594 vingtième d'écu Philippe
- 1596 gigot, Maastricht mint
- 1597 duit = gigot, without mintmark
- 1597 écu Philippe, Antwerp mint
- Coins and currency dated 1597