Flanders (1487-88) griffin
This specimen was lot 758 in Jean Elsen sale 148 (Brussels, September 2021), where it sold for €460 (about US$652 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"VLAANDEREN, Graafschap, Philips de Schone (1482-1506), AR griffioen, z.j. (1487-1488). Vz/ Griffioen l, met in de linker een vuursteen en in de rechter een vuurstaal. Kz/ DEV' PL-VS AMA- QVA AR-GENTV' Wapenschild rustend op een gevoet kruis. Zeldzaam Mooie patina. Zeer Fraai à Prachtig. Uit onze veiling 104, 13 maart 2010, 561. (county of Flanders, Philip the Fair, 1482-1506, undated silver griffin. Obverse: griffin left; reverse: arms over cross. Scarce, nice patina. Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
In the late fifteenth century, the county of Flanders was the wealthiest region in northern Europe. The death of duke Charles the Rash, in 1477, allowed the county to pass to the Hapsburgs. This coin was issued by the Austrian prince Philip the Fair. His son, Charles V, would unite Austria and Spain.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 3,25 g.
Catalog reference: G.H. 70-5b; D.d.P. 16, 21; V.H. 90.
- 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 148: Monnaies, Médailles et Décorations, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2021.
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