Liege (1419-34) 1/2 heaume

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Jean Elsen sale 158, lot 1062

This specimen was lot 1062 in Jean Elsen sale 158 (Brussels, March 2024), where it sold for €600 (about US$780 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,

"LIEGE, Principauté, Jean de Heinsberg (1419-1455), AR demi-heaume (demi-gros), s.d. (avant 1434), Hasselt. D/ Dans un polylobe, écu incliné de Heinsberg sous un heaume sommé de deux oreilles d'âne. R/ Ecu de Heinsberg posé sur une croix longue coupant un polylobe. Chestret 316; Dengis 651. 0,83 g. Extrêmement rare. Belle patine. presque Très Beau. (prince-bishopric of Liège, Jean de Heinsberg, 1419-55, undated silver half helmet or double gros, struck before 1434, Hasselt mint. Obverse: within a polylobe, inclined arms of Heinsberg under a helmet with two donkey's ears; reverse: arms of Heinsberg over a long cross cutting a polylobe. Extremely rare, beautiful patina, about Very Fine.)"

Jean de Heinsberg was elected prince-bishop at the age of 22 years altho not yet ordained a priest. This obstacle was swiftly dealt with and he assumed his duties in June 1420. In 1455, Philip the Good of Burgundy, seeking a place for his nephew Louis of Bourbon, forced bishop Jean to resign in Louis' favor. Jean died in 1459, allegedly leaving behind 65 children. He was descended from the formerly independent counts of Loon.

Reported Mintage: unknown.

Specification: silver or billon, this specimen 2,46 g.

Catalog reference: Chestret 313; coll. Piat 204 (this example); Dengis 648 (two known).

Source:

  • 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 158, Monnaies de la Principauté de Liège, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.

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