Liege (1456-82) billon blanc
This specimen was lot 1271 in Jean Elsen sale 125 (Brussels, June 2015), where it sold for €250 (about US$333 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"LIEGE, Principauté, Louis de Bourbon (1456-1482), billon blanc à l'L, vers 1465, Hasselt. Au titre d'élu de Liège. D/ Armes de l'évêque en plein champ. R/ Croix pattée coupant la légende, L en coeur, cantonnée de quatre fleurs de lis. Rare dans cette qualité Très Beau à Superbe. Provient de la collection J.-M. Chouters et de notre vente 86, 10 décembre 2005, 1083. (prince-bishopric of Liège, Louis of Bourbon (1456-82) billon blanc of the "L", about 1465, Hasselt mint, in the name of the elector of Liege. Obverse: arms of the bishopric in a plain field; reverse: cross pattée divides the legend, "L" at center, four lilies in the fields. Rare in this quality, very fine to extremely fine.)"
Louis de Bourbon, nephew of Philip the Good of Burgundy, was installed as bishop by the duke over the objections of the current tenant, who was forced to resign, and the wishes of the people of Liège. The resulting tumult erupted into war several times and Louis was finally murdered by a local robber baron, William de la Marck.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: debased silver, this specimen 3,32 g.
Catalog reference: Chestret 345; Dengis 689.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 125: Collections Dr. Jacques Marneffe, Jean-Marie Chouters et Henri Pottier, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2015.
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