Brabant 1672(a) 1/2 patagon
This specimen was lot 822 in Jean Elsen sale 159 (Brussels, June 2024), where it sold for €160 (about US$206 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BRABANT, Duché, Charles II (1665-1700), AR demi-patagon, 1672, Bruxelles. D/ Croix de Bourgogne sous une couronne, portant le bijou de la Toison d'or. R/ Ecu couronné, entouré du collier de la Toison d'or. Rare. Très Beau. (duchy of Brabant, Charles II, 1665-1700, silver half patagon of 1672, Brussels mint. Obverse: Burgundian cross below a crown, bearing the jewel of the Golden Fleece; reverse: crowned arms, order chain around. Rare, very fine.)"
Patagons were issued in the Spanish Netherlands and associated states (including the bishopric of Liège and Franche Comte) during the seventeenth century, where they competed with French écus, German talers and Dutch daalders and ducatons. The half patagon shown here was struck at the Antwerp mint 1672-73 and 1677 for Charles II of Spain. The SCWC notes the Flemish issues as the most common, followed by the Brabant issue, tho none are plentiful today. The series is plagued by bad planchets and poor strikes, reducing their appeal to collectors. The 1672 is the only date not extremely rare.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 14.05 g, 0.875 fine silver; this specimen 13,94 g.
Catalog reference: KM 78.1, G.H. 351-2; Delm-347; W. 1086; VH 699.
- 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 159, Collection Harry Dewit, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
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