Flanders 1542 4 stuivers
This specimen was lot 1854 in Jean Elsen sale 145 (Brussels, September 2020), where it sold for €260 (about US$371 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"VLAANDEREN, Graafschap, Keizer Karel (1506-1555), AR vlieger (4 stuiver), 1542, Brugge. Vz/ Gekroonde keizerlijke adelaar. Met KAROLVS in de legende. Kz/ Gekroond wapenschild op een Bourgondisch kruis. Zeldzaam Krasjes. Op een brede muntplaat geslagen. Zeer Fraai. (county of Flanders, emperor Charles V, 1506-55, four stuivers of 1542, Bruges mint. Obverse: crowned imperial eagle with CAROLVS in the legend; reverse: crowned arms over a Burgundian cross. Scarce, scratches, struck on a broad planchet, Very Fine.)"
This vlieger, or four stuivers, is about the same weight as the seventeenth century escalin or arendschelling, which was six stuivers. It was also struck in Brabant. Vlieger means kite or airplane in Flemish.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.12 g, 0.618 fine silver, 33 mm diameter, this specimen 5,87 g.
Catalog reference: G.H. 189-5a (unlisted date); V.H. 226.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 145, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2020.
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