Hainaut (1309) petit gros
This specimen was lot 538 in Sincona sale 89 (Zürich, May 2024), where it sold for 800 CHF (about US$1,057 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BELGIEN Hainaut, Grafschaft, Guillaume I. 1304-1337. Petit gros (Pillewille) o. J. (1309), Valenciennes. Sehr selten, besonders in dieser Erhaltung. Vorzüglich. Exemplar der Auktion Kricheldorf 47, Berlin, Juli 2002, Los 402. Exemplar der Slg. Trampitsch, Auktion Crédit de la Bourse, Paris, 1994, Los 523. (Belgium, county of Hainaut, William I, 1304-37, undated little groat, circa 1309, Valenciennes mint. Very rare, especially in this condition, Extremely fine.)"
Guillaume was count of Hainaut, Avêsnes, Holland and Zeeland 1304-37. This coin's popular name was "pillewille", which means "Willie with the lance". This new type quickly became the subject of numerous imitations in the Netherlands. In addition to the Duke of Brabant, it was notably adopted by the Counts of Flanders, Namur, Looz, Luxembourg, the Bishop of Cambrai and various lords of Cambrésis.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 2.15 g.
Catalog reference: Chalon 45. Vanhoudt Atlas G468.
- Roberts, James N., The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD), S. Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1996.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 89, The Garrulus Collection of Numismatic Rarities and Masterpieces, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
Link to:
- Hainaut (1280-1304) 2/3 gros, Jean II d'Avêsnes
- (1285) esterlin à l'écu au lion
- (1290) esterlin à la tête
- Brabant (1309) demi-gros au chevalier (pillewille), Antwerp mint, Jean II
- Brabant (1309-12) esterlin, Jean II, Antwerp mint
- (1326-29) obole blanche (penan)
- (1342-43) billon tiers de gros au lion, Guillaume II
- Coins and currency dated 1309
- return to coins of Spanish Netherlands