Flanders (1352-53) 1/2 chaise d'or Fr-153
This specimen was lot 468 in Jean Elsen sale 137 (Brussels, June 2018), where it sold for €850 (about US$1,183 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"VLAANDEREN, Graafschap, Lodewijk van Male (1346-1384), AV half gouden schild met de adelaar, 1352-1353, Brugge. Vz/ De gezeten graaf, gekroond met rozen, met in de rechterhand een opgeheven zwaard en de linkerhand rustend op een schild met een tweekoppige adelaar. Kz/ Gebloemd kruis in een vierpas. Vier klaverbladen buiten de inspringende hoeken. Zeldzaam Kleine randschade. Zeer Fraai. (county of Flanders, Louis de Male, 1346-84, half golden shield of the eagle, issued 1352-53 from Bruges. Obverse: the count, crowned with roses, sits with a raised sword in the right hand and the left hand resting on a shield with a two-headed eagle. Reverse: Floriate cross in a quatrefoil. Four clovers outside the recessed corners. Rare, edge damage, Very fine.)"
Louis II de Male was count of Flanders when that province was one of the richest regions of Europe. Nominally part of France, Louis refused to pay homage to either the king of France or the king of England, steering a neutral course during the Hundred Years War. It was then that this imitation of a French demi-chaise d'or was struck. A full chaise d'or and quarter chaise d'or also exist. Later, he married his daughter to Philip, duke of Burgundy, uniting the two houses against the authority of the king of France.
Reported Mintage: unknown.
Specification: gold, this specimen 2,21 g.
Catalog reference: Gaill. 208; Delm-455; Elsen 24; Fr-153.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 137, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2018.
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