Ghent (15)82 12 mite

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Jean Elsen sale 159, lot 1056
JE159-1056r.jpg
Jean Elsen sale 164, lot 1294
JE164-1294r.jpg

The first specimen was lot 1056 in Jean Elsen sale 159 (Brussels, June 2024), where it sold for €60 (about US$77 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,

"VLAANDEREN, Gent in opstand tegen Philips II (1581-1584), Cu 12 mijten, 1582. Met wapen van Frans van Alençon. Vz/ *XII*GHENT*/ MYTEN Klimmende leeuw n. l. Daaronder, 82. Kz/ Gekroond wapenschild, omringd door het halssnoer van het Gulden Vlies. Zeer Fraai. (county of Flanders, city of Ghent in rebellion against Philip II, 1581-84, copper twelve mites of 1582, with the arms of Francis d'Alençon. Obverse: lion rampant left, date below; reverse: crowned arms, order chain around. Very fine.)"

The second specimen was lot 1294 in Jean Elsen sale 164 (Brussels, March 2026), where it sold for €80 (about US$111 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,

"VLAANDEREN, Gent in opstand tegen Philips II (1581-1584), Cu 12 mijten, 1582. Met wapen van Frans van Alençon. Vz/ *XII*GHENT*/ MYTEN Klimmende leeuw n. l. Daaronder, 82. Kz/ Gekroond wapenschild, omringd door het halssnoer van het Gulden Vlies. Kz. licht gekorrodeerd. goede Zeer Fraai. (county of Flanders, city of Ghent in rebellion against Philip II, 1581-84, copper twelve mites of 1582, with the arms of Francis d'Alençon. Obverse: lion rampant left, date below; reverse: crowned arms, order chain around. Lightly pitted, good Very Fine.)"

This type was issued during one of Ghent's many revolts against outside authority. 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. Roberts comments, "The mite of Flanders was valued at 1/24 gros or 1/8 of an English penny.... The mite of Brabant was valued at only 1/36 gros, making its 4-mite piece 1/3 of a penny."

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: copper, the first specimen 5,41 g.

Catalog reference: Gilleman 20; VH 429; Martiny, Gent, 168-1.

Source:

  • 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 159, Collection Harry Dewit, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
  • [2]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 164: Monnaies du duché de Brabant et du royaume de Belgique, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.

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