Flanders (1477-82) 2 mites
This specimen was lot 1286 in Jean Elsen sale 164 (Brussels, March 2026), where it sold for €60 (about US$84 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"VLAANDEREN, Graafschap, Maria van Bourgondië (1477-1482), Cu dubbele mijt, z.j., Brugge. Interpunctie met sterren en omgekeerde omschriften. Vz/ IN NOMINE DOMINI Onciale M. Kz/ MARIA COMIT FLA Kruis. Zeer Fraai. (county of Flanders, Maria of Burgundy, 1477-82, undated copper double mite, Bruges mint, obverse legend punctuated with stars. Obverse: uncial "M"; reverse: cross. Very Fine.)"
Maria was the daughter of Charles the Rash and the heiress to his domain between France and Germany. She was duchess of Burgundy, Brabant, Limburg, Luxemburg and Guelders and countess of Flanders, Artois, Hainaut, Holland, Zeeland, Namur and Zutphen and the most desirable match of her day. She married Maximilian of Hapsburg to keep her lands out of the hands of Louis XI of France but died in 1482 at the age of 25. Altho technically billon, at only 2% silver one can forgive the auctioneers for calling it copper. This denomination was also struck in Brabant.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.0 g, 0.020 fine silver, 19 mm diameter; this specimen 1,02 g.
Catalog reference: G.H. 46-3a var.; VH 62.
- Roberts, James N., The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD), S. Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1996.
- van Gelder, H. Enno, and Marcel Hoc, Les Monnaies des pays-Bas Bourguignons et Espagnols, 1434-1713, Amsterdam, J. Schulman, 1960, with supplement of 1964.
- [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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