Flanders (1269) 2 sterling
This specimen was lot 1271 in Jean Elsen sale 164 (Brussels, March 2026), where it sold for €260 (about US$362 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"VLAANDEREN, Graafschap, Margaretha van Constantinopel (1244-1280), AR dubbele sterling met de adelaar, vanaf januari 1269, Aalst. Vz/ + FLANDRIE: AC: HAYNONIE Tweekoppige adelaar in een vierpas. Kz/ + MARG-ARET-A COMI-TISSA Klaverbladvormig kruis met in de hoeken A-L-O-S. Gesnoeid. Barstje. Mooie patina. Zeer Fraai. (county of Flanders, Margaret of Constantinople, 1244-80, silver double sterling of the eagle, after January 1269, Aalst mint. Obverse: double headed eagle in quadrilobe; reverse: key-shaped cross cantonned with "A-L-O-S". Clipped, planchet crack, Nice patina, Very Fine.)"
The "A-L-O-S" on the reverse refers to the Aalst mint, now in the East Flanders province of Belgium. This type was likely intended to pass for two pence or half a groat, a denomination the English would not strike until the fourteenth century. However, Numista states the esterlin was one-third of a groat, not one quarter.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.6 g, silver, 24 mm diameter; this specimen 1,97 g.
Catalog reference: Gaill. 147; Martiny 1-AA/13.
- Roberts, James N., The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD), S. Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1996.
- [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:
- Flanders (1244-80) petit gros, Marguerite de Constantinople
- Hainaut (1244-80) 2/3 gros, Marguerite de Constantinople
- Brabant (1277-94) double esterlin, Jean I, Brussels mint
- Coins and currency dated 1269