Hainaut 1581 1/2 ecu
This specimen was lot 640 in Jean Elsen sale 141 (Brussels, June 2019), where it sold for €110 (about US$146 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"HAINAUT, Comté, Philippe II (1555-1598), AR demi-écu Philippe, 1581, Mons. D/ B. cuir. à g. R/ Ecu couronné sur une croix de Bourgogne, entre deux briquets, portant le bijou de la Toison d'or. Rare Eraflure au revers. Beau à Très Beau. (county of Hainaut, Philip II, 1555-98, silver half écu Philippe of 1581, Mons mint. Obverse: armored bust left; reverse: crowned arms over a Burgundian cross between the jewels of the Golden Fleece. Rare, scratch on reverse, Fine - Very Fine.)"
This type represents a very early experiment with decimal coinage, over a century before Russia adopted her hundred kopeks = one ruble.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 15,32 g.
Catalog reference: G.H. 211-10; Chalon 182; Delm-70; V.H. 301.
- 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 141, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2019.
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