Brabant 1683(a) 1/2 ducaton
This specimen was lot 817 in Jean Elsen sale 149 (Brussels, December 2021), where it sold for €6,000 (about US$8,126 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BRABANT, Duché, Charles II (1665-1700), AR demi-ducaton, 1683, Bruxelles. Deuxième type. D/ B. juvénile à d., les cheveux longs, une large cravate au cou. R/ Ecu couronné, tenu par deux lions, orné du bijou de la Toison d'or. De la plus haute rareté Eclat du flan et traces de corrosion marine. Très Beau. Provient de l'épave du VOC Meresteijn (1971) et de la collection Symkens, Spink, Londres, vente 18, 18 novembre 1981, 449. (duchy of Brabant, Charles II, 1665-1700, silver half ducaton of 1683, Brussels mint, second type. Obverse: juvenile bust to right with long hair and large cravat; reverse: crowned arms supported by two lions, decorated with the jewels of the Golden Fleece. Of the highest rarity, rim cracks and traces of saltwater corrosion, Very Fine.)"
This type was struck 1682-84 at Brussels and Antwerp and is one of the keys of Spanish Netherlands coinage, even in low grade such as the specimen shown.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 16.24 g, 0.944 fine silver, this specimen 15,73 g.
Catalog reference: KM 104.2 (unlisted date), G.H. 349-2b (unlisted date); W. 1080 (unlisted date); Delm., Suppl., 334; V.H. 695.
- 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 149: Monnaies, Médailles et Décorations, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2021.
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