Liege (15)79 real
This specimen was lot 1102 in Jean Elsen sale 156 (Brussels, September 2023), where it sold for €800 (about US$1,027 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"LIEGE, Principauté, Gérard de Groesbeeck (1564-1580), AR cinq patards (réal), 1579, Liège ou Hasselt. Au titre de Rodolphe II de Habsbourg. D/ Ecu de l'évêque surmonté d'un heaume à cimier, accosté de 7-9. R/ RODOL-II ROM- IMP D-ECRET Croix longue et ornée, aigle impériale en coeur. Très rare. Fine craquelure du flan. Très belle patine colorée. Superbe. Provient de la collection A. Symkens, 25 novembre 1991. (principality of Liège, Gérard de Groesbeeck, 1564-80, silver five patards or real of 1579, Liège or Hasselt mints, struck in the name of Rudolf II. Obverse: helmeted arms of the bishop dividing the two digit date; reverse: ornate long cross, imperial eagle at the center. Very rare, fine planchet cracks, beautiful multicolor toning, Extremely Fine.)"
The bishopric of Liège was an ecclesiastical state in central Belgium and usually ruled by a Hapsburg client. The surrounding territory was ruled by the Spanish Hapsburgs from about 1500 until 1699 and the Austrian Hapsburgs 1714-97.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen is 4,86 g.
Catalog reference: Chestret 518; Dengis 940.
- 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 156, Collection de Monnaies de la Principauté de Liège, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2023.
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