Burgundy 1635 1/4 ducaton
This specimen was lot 865 in Jean Elsen sale 158 (Brussels, March 2024), where it sold for €320 (about US$416 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCHE-COMTE, Philippe IV (1621-1665), AR teston au vieux buste (quart de ducaton), 1635, Dole. Différent: molette. D/ B. cuir. à d., une large fraise au cou. R/ Ecu couronné, entouré du collier de la Toison d'or. Très rare. Flan irrégulier, avec un éclat sur la tranche. Fines griffes. Beau à Très Beau. (free county of Burgundy, Philip IV, 1621-65, silver teston or quarter ducaton with the old bust of 1635, Dole mint, star privy mark. Obverse: armored bust with ruffed collar; reverse: crowned arms, Order chain around. Very rare, irregular planchet with an edge crack. FIne scratches, Fine - Very Fine.)"
This a rare issue of a rare denomination. It is listed in the SCWC for the Dole mint for 1622, 1632-35, 1647 but this is the first quarter ducaton we have encountered from the Spanish Netherlands. We don't see the mintmark mentioned in the auctioneer's description but the most obvious mark of origin is the legend "COM • BVRG • Zc".
Reported Mintage: unknown.
Specification: 8.12 g, 0.944 fine silver, this specimen 7,08 g.
Catalog reference: KM 13, Dole R32a (cet exemplaire illustré, photo 10); P.A. -; VH 644.
- 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 158, Monnaies de la Principauté de Liège, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
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