Flanders (1369-70) 1/2 groat
This specimen was lot 1277 in Jean Elsen sale 164 (Brussels, March 2026), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"VLAANDEREN, Graafschap, Lodewijk van Male (1346-1384), AR halve groot (kwart zilveren leeuw), 1369-1370, Gent. Vz/ Zittende leeuw n. l. met toernooihelm. Kz/ Lang gevoet kruis met F-L-A-D in de hoeken. Uiterst zeldzaam. Deels zwak geslagen. Deze halve groot werd aangemunt door muntmeester Jehan Jourdain van 22 september 1369 tot 25 mei 1370. Voor een ander exemplaar, zie de verzameling Martiny, onze veiling 136, 24 maart 2018, 575. - Ce demi-gros (ou "quart de lion d'argent") fut frappé par le maître Jehan Jourdain du 22 septembre 1369 au 25 mai 1370. Pour un autre exemplaire, voir celui de la collection Martiny (notre vente 136, 24 mars 2018, 575). bijna Zeer Fraai. (county of Flanders, Louis de Male, 1346-84, silver half groat or quarter silver lion, circa 1369-70, Ghent mint. Obverse: seated lion left wearing a helmet; reverse: long cross cantonned with "F-L-A-D". This type was struck by mintmaster Jehan Jourdain during September 1369 to May 1370. Extremely rare, double struck, about 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. Numista says there are three known to exist of this rare type. However, the double groat or plak is common.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.1 g, 0.480 fine silver; this specimen 1,06 g.
Catalog reference: Gaill. 228; Elsen 35; Martiny, Gent, 47.
- 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.
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