Flanders 1581 noble Fr-242
This specimen was lot 784 in Jean Elsen sale 124 (Brussels, March 2015), where it sold for €1,400 (about US$1,746 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"VLAANDEREN, Graafschap, Gent in opstand tegen Philips II (1581-1584), AV gouden nobel, 1581, Met wapen van Frans van Alençon in de banier. Slechts 3.369 ex. geslagen. Droit: Gekroonde krijger in een schip met zwaard en leeuwenschild. In de achtersteven, leeuwtje dat een banier met lelies houdt. In het veld, N-Tête. Revers: Gebloemd kruis in een achtpas met lelies op de uiteinden en met in het hart een roosje. In de hoeken, vier gekroonde leeuwen. Legende eindigend op VIGILANT· EAM· 81. Uit de verzameling Veldeman. Zeer Zeldzaam. Lichte restauratiesporen. Zeer Fraai . (county of Flanders, Ghent in rebellion against Philip II (1581-84), gold noble of 1581, with the arms of Francois d'Anjou in the banner. Only 3,369 struck. Obverse: crowned prince standing in ship with sword and shield. In the stern, a lion holding a banner with lilies and an "N" in the field. Reverse: Floriate cross in an octolobe with lilies on the ends and in the center a rose; In the quadrants, four crowned lions; legend ends VIGILANT EAM · · 81. From the Veldeman collection, very rare, repaired, very fine.)"
Ghent was already declining in importance when the rebellion started but never recovered her position after Philip II devastated it in 1584. Her harbor silted up and trade shifted to the north. This type was accompanied by half (Fr-245) and quarter nobles.
Recorded mintage: 3,369.
Specification: gold, this specimen 6,77 g.
Catalog reference: Gilleman, 2; Haeck, 705; Delm-527; Martiny, 160, Fr-242 (listed under Ghent).
- Delmonte, A., Le Bénélux D'or, Amsterdam: Jacques Schulman N.V., 1964, with supplements to 1977.
- 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.
- 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 124, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2015.
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