Liege (1525-28) snaphaen
This specimen was lot 647 in Jean Elsen sale 126 (Brussels, September 2015), where it sold for €350 (about US$467 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"LIEGE, Principauté, Erard de la Marck (1506-1538), AR snaphaen, s.d. (1525-1528), Hasselt (?). D/ Ecu de la Marck sur une croix feuillue et ornée de pommes de pin. R/ SA-NCTVS* HV-BERT'* Saint Hubert sonnant du cor, galopant à d., accompagné d'un chien. Devant le cheval, un cerf. presque Très Beau. (prince-bishopric of Liège, Erard de la marck, 1506-38, undated silver snaphaen, probably from the Hasselt mint. Obverse: arms of Marck over a floriate cross decorated with pine cones; reverse: mounted St. Hubert gallops to right, accompanied by a dog; before the horse, a deer. About very fine.)
Ce snaphaen imite le snaphaen frappé depuis 1516 par Charles d'Egmont, duc de Gueldre. Son nom populaire (snaphaan) signifie brigand, bandit et est à l'origine du français chenapan. Il aurait été donné à cette pièce en raison des méfaits d'une bande de pillards dirigés par un hobereau de Gueldre du nom de de Haan et du verbe snappen signifiant happer. Provient de la collection J.-M. Chouters. (The snaphaen imitated the snaphaen struck since 1516 by Charles of Egmont, duke of Gelderland. Its popular name ("snaphaen" or "hen snatcher") signified brigand or bandit and is the origin of the French word chenapan, meaning scoundrel. It received this name as the result of the misdeeds of a band of pillagers directed by a squire of Gelderland named Haan combined with snappen, to snap up or steal. From the J.-M. Chouters collection.)"
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 7,67 g.
Catalog reference: Chestret 441; Dengis 831; Delm-431.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 126, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2015.
Link to: