Brabant 1664(h) 1/2 ducaton
This specimen was lot 659 in Jean Elsen sale 165 (Brussels, June 2026), where it sold for €110 (about US$152 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BRABANT, Duché, Philippe IV (1621-1665), AR demi-ducaton, 1664, Anvers. Deuxième type. D/ B. dr. et cuir. à d. R/ Écu couronné, tenu par deux lions. En dessous, le bijou de la Toison d'or. Pièce d'épave avec traces de corrosion typiques. Beau à Très Beau. (duchy of Brabant, Philip IV, 1621-65, silver half ducaton of 1664, Antwerp mint, second type. Obverse: draped and armored bust right; reverse: crowned arms supported by two lions, the jewel of the Golden Fleece below. Sea salvaged with the usual corrosion. Fine - Very Fine.)"
The half ducaton shown here was struck at the Antwerp and Brussels mints 1637-66. The hand mintmark indicates an Antwerp product. The SCWC prices the Brussels issues about double the Antwerp issue. The series is plagued by bad planchets and poor strikes, reducing their appeal to collectors.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 16.24 g, 0.944 fine silver, this specimen 14,99 g.
Catalog reference: KM 73.1, G.H. 328-1b; Delm. 288; W. 1006; VH 643.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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 165, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.
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