Flanders (1544-48) gulden
This specimen was lot 704 in Jean Elsen sale 141 (Brussels, June 2019), where it sold for €13,500 (about US$17,891 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"VLAANDEREN, Graafschap, Keizer Karel (1506-1555), AR zilveren Karolusgulden, z.j. (1544-1548), Brugge. 1e type. Vz/ Gekroond bb. r. Kz/ Gekroond wapenschild op een gebloemd kruis. Zeldzaam Mooie patina. Zeer Fraai à Prachtig. Uit onze veiling 59, 21 september 1999, 1945 en uit verzameling Symkens, veiling Spink 18, Londres, 18 november 1981, 204. De zilveren Karolusgulden had dezelfde waarde als de Karolusgoudgulden die sinds 1521 werd geslagen. Deze buitengewone portretmunt was het eerste zware zilverstuk dat in de Zuidelijke Nederlanden werd aangemunt. (county of Flanders, emperor Charles V, 1506-55, undated silver Carolus gulden of 1544-48, Bruges mint, first type. Obverse: crowned bust right; reverse: crowned arms over a floriate cross. Scarce, nice patina, Very Fine - Extremely Fine. The silver Karolus gulden had the same value as the Karolus goldgulden that was minted since 1521. This extraordinary portrait coin was the first heavy silver piece to be coined in the Southern Netherlands)"
This rare type is not mentioned in Davenport, either because he was not aware of it or because it is too light to be counted as a thaler. We see similar issues from Brabant and Gelderland.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 22,74 g.
Catalog reference: G.H. 187-5; Delm-4; V.H. 224.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 141, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2019.
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