Flanders 1688 1/2 patagon
This specimen was lot 1443 in Jean Elsen sale 162 (Brussels, June 2025), where it sold for €160 (about US$222 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"VLAANDEREN, Graafschap, Karel II (1665-1700), AR halve patagon, 1688, Brugge. Vz/ Gekroond stokkenkruis met een vuurijzer tussen het jaartal en het juweel van het Gulden Vlies. Kz/ Gekroond wapenschild omringd door de keten van het Gulden Vlies. Zeldzaam. Zwak geslagen. (county of Flanders, Charles II, 1665-1700, half patagon of 1688, Bruges mint. Obverse: Burgundian cross under a crown, supporting the jewel of the Golden Fleece; reverse: crowned arms, order chain around. Rare, weakly struck, reverse die crack, Fine - Very Fine.)"
One patagon was 48 sols, stuivers or patards. It was equal to the Dutch silver ducat which was first issued in 1659. Patagons are notoriously badly struck. The SCWC lists this type for Bruges 1666-80, 1683-92 but all dates are very scarce. Starting in 1686, the Antwerp and Brussels mints began milling coins instead of hammering them.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 14.05 g, 0.875 fine silver, 36 mm diameter, this specimen 13,84 g.
Catalog reference: KM 66, G.H., Suppl., 351-4a; Delm-348; VH 699.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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 162: Collection Jacques Druart, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
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