Liege (1419-55) mite
This specimen was lot 1066 in Jean Elsen sale 158 (Brussels, March 2024), where it sold for €160 (about US$208 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"LIEGE, Principauté, Jean de Heinsberg (1419-1455), Cu brûlé (mite). D/ Armes de Heinsberg en plein champ. R/ Croix pattée, cantonnée de deux bars. Très rare. Très Beau. (prince-bishopric of Liège, Jean de Heinsberg, 1419-55, copper brulé or mite. Obverse: arms of Heinsberg in a plain field; reverse: cross pattée cantonned with two bars. Very rare, 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. The term brûlé is more of a nickname than a denomination and referred to a number of different low value copper coins such as sous, deniers, duits and liards. Most were carelessly made, with bad strikes on crude planchets being normal.
Reported Mintage: unknown.
Specification: copper, this specimen 0,92 g.
Catalog reference: Chestret 327; Dengis 662.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 158, Monnaies de la Principauté de Liège, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
Link to:
- (1394-1418) florin de Bavière, John of Bavaria
- (1399-1418) florin d'or au saint Jean, John of Bavaria
- (1412) griffon d'or
- (1419-55) petit brûlé (demi-mite)
- (1419-55) grand brûlé (mite)
- (1419-34) demi-heaume
- Liege (1419-55) griffin
- (1419-55) gros au saint Pierre
- (1419-34) double heaume
- (1419-55) double griffon
- (1419-55) griffon d'or, Jean de Heinsberg
- Liege (1424) ange d'or Fr-292
- (1433) double gros
- 1437 double gros = plaque
- Coins and currency dated 1419