Hainaut (1302-03) 1/2 gros
This specimen was lot 1207 in Jean Elsen sale 164 (Brussels, March 2026), where it sold for €400 (about US$557 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"HAINAUT, Comté, Jean II d'Avesnes (1280-1304), AR demi-gros au chevalier (baudekin à la lance), 1302-1303, Valenciennes. 2e type. D/ Chevalier galopant à g., ten. une bannière et un écu au lion. R/ + MONETA VALENCENENSIS Croix pattée. Légende intérieure: + SIGNVM CRVSIS. Rare. Flan court. Belle patine foncée. Très Beau à Superbe. (county of Hainaut, John II of Avesnes, 1280-1304, silver half groat of the knight, circa 1302-03, Valenciennes mint, second type. Obverse: mounted knight gallops left, bearing a banner and a lion shield; reverse: cross pattée with interior legend. Rare, tight flan, nice patina. Very Fine - Extremely Fine.)"
Jean II d'Avêsnes was count of Hainaut 1280-1304 and count of Holland 1299-1304. Other half groats exist with the knight riding to the right.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.4 g, silver; this specimen 2,00 g.
Catalog reference: Chalon, Suppl., LXIV, 27; Lucas, Hainaut, 47b; Crinon, RBN (2005), 3a.
- Roberts, James N., The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD), S. Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1996.
- [1]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.
Link to: