Ghent (1489) briquet
The first specimen was lot 798 in Jean Elsen sale 162 (Brussels, June 2025), where it sold for €130 (about US$180 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"VLAANDEREN, Graafschap, Gent in opstand tegen Maximiliaan (1488-1492), AR vuurijzer, z.j. (1489). Vz/ Zittende leeuw naar l. voor zich het leeuwenschild houdend. Kz/ + FIAT PAX IN VIRTVTE TVA ET H Gebloemd kruis met lelie in het hart en G-A-N-D in de hoeken. Zeldzaam. (county of Flanders, Ghent in rebellion against Maximilian, 1488-92, undated silver briquet, circa 1489. Obverse: A lion facing left supports a shield with a lion on it; reverse: floriate cross with a lily at the center cantonned with "G-A-N-D'. Rare, about Very Fine.)"
The second specimen was lot 1261 in Jean Elsen sale 163 (Brussels, November 2025), where it sold for €220 (about US$254 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"VLAANDEREN, Graafschap, Gent in opstand tegen Maximiliaan (1488-1492), AR vuurijzer, z.j. (1489). Vz/ Zittende leeuw n. l. het leeuwenschild voor zich houdend. Omschrift eindigend op FLAND. Kz/ Gebloemd kruis met lelie in het hart en G-A-N-D in de hoeken. Omschrift eindigend op ET HA. Zeldzaam. Met omgekeerde lelie op kz. (county of Flanders, Ghent in revolt against Maximilian, 1488-92, undated silver stuiver, circa 1489. Obverse: seated lion left, supported a shield with a lion, obverse legend ends "FLAND"; reverse: floriate cross with a lily at the center, cantonned with the letters "G-A-N-D"; legend ends "ET HA". Rare, Very Fine.)
This type was issued during one of Ghent's many revolts against outside authority. The rebels also struck a half stuiver (GH 148a/GH 148b), a double stuiver (GH 146) and a gold florin (Fr-239).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3 g, silver, the first specimen 2,46 g, the second specimen is 2,82 g.
Catalog reference: G.H. 147; D.d.P. 17, 37; Martiny, Gent, 148.
- Roberts, James N., The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD), S. Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1996.
- 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.
- [2]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 163, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
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