Flanders (1428-30) noble Fr-179
This specimen was lot 623 in Jean Elsen sale 136 (Brussels, March 2018), where it sold for €8,500 (about US$12,477 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"VLAANDEREN, Graafschap, Philips de Goede (1419-1467), AV gouden nobel, 1428-1430, Gent. 3e uitgifte. Vz/ De graaf rechtopstaand in een schip met zwaard en Bourgondisch-Vlaams wapenschild. Klimmende leeuw op de achtersteven. Kz/ Gebloemd kruis met gekroonde leeuwtjes in de hoeken en een roosje in het hart. Zeldzaam. Prachtig. Uit verzameling Couchard, veiling Rossini, Parijs, 27 januari 2006, 132. (county of Flanders, Philip the Good, 1419-67, gold noble of 1428-30, Ghent mint, third issue. Obverse: the count stands in a ship with sword and shield with the arms of Burgundy; reverse: floriate cross with crowned lions and rosette in center. Scarce, extremely fine.)"
This coin was issued by the duke of Burgundy for Flanders, the wealthiest part of his domain. The death of his son, Charles the Rash, in 1477, allowed the county to pass to the Spanish Hapsburgs. A rare demi-noble (Fr-180) also exists.
Reported Mintage: unknown.
Specification: gold, this specimen 6,91 g.
Catalog reference: D.d.P. 20, 42; Delm-483; Martiny, Gent, 114 (this example); Fr-179.
- 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 136: Collection Martiny, Collection Nef, Collection Casterman, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2018.
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