Flanders (1332-34) 1/2 groat
This specimen was lot 1406 in Jean Elsen sale 154 (Brussels, March 2023), where it sold for €200 (about US$259 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"VLAANDEREN, Graafschap, Lodewijk van Nevers (1322-1346), AR halve groot, 1332-1334, Aalst. Derde emissie. A met dwarsstreep. Vz/ + MONETA ALOSTENSIS Klimmende leeuw n. l. in een zespas. Kz/ LVDO-VIC' C-OMES- FLAD' Lang gevoet kruis met in de hoeken twee leeuwen en twee eenkoppige adelaars. Vlekjes kopergroen. Mooie patina. Zeer Fraai à Prachtig. (county of Flanders, Louis of Nevers, 1322-46, silver half groat, 1332-34, Aalst mint, third emission, "A" with crossbar. Obverse: lion rampant left in hexalobe; reverse: long cross cantonned with two eagles and two lions. Spots of verdigris, nice patina, Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
The second specimen was lot 1008 in Jean Elsen sale 159 (Brussels, June 2024), where it sold for €460 (about US$591 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"VLAANDEREN, Graafschap, Lodewijk van Nevers (1322-1346), AR halve groot, 1332-1334, Aalst. Derde emissie. Λ zonder dwarsstreep. Vz/ + MONETΛ: ΛLOSTENSIS Klimmende leeuw n. l. in een zespas. Kz/ LVDO-VIC': C-OMES- FLΛD' Lang gevoet kruis met in de hoeken twee leeuwen en twee eenkoppige adelaars. Mooie patina. Zeer Fraai. (county of Flanders, Louis of Nevers, 1322-46, silver half groat, circa 1332-34. Aalst mint, third emission, "Λ" without crossbar. Obverse: lion rampant left in a hexalobe; reverse: long cross cantonned with two lions and two eagles. Handsome patina, very fine.)"
Louis was count of Flanders, Nevers and Rethel. His support of Philip V of France irked his subjects, who were dependent on English wool for their livelihood. Louis was killed at the Battle of Crécy in 1346 and succeeded by his son, Louis II. In the English system, the groat was fourpence and the halfgroat tuppence. Both coins were widely imitated by England's trading partners in the Netherlands.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, the first specimen 2,09 g, the second specimen is 1,63 g.
Catalog reference: Gaill. 194 var.; Haeck, JEGMP (1985), B14; Martiny & Torongo AA 5/1. The second specimen Gaill. 194; Haeck, JEGMP (1985), B12; Martiny & Torongo AA 5/4.
- 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 154, Trouvaille de Labuissière, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2023.
- [2]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 159, Collection Harry Dewit, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
Link to: