Liege 1694 liard
This specimen was lot 1206 in Jean Elsen sale 156 (Brussels, September 2023), where it sold for €180 (about US$231 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"LIEGE, Principauté, Siège vacant (1694), Cu liard au saint Lambert, 1694, Liège. D/ B. mitré du saint à g. R/ Cinq écus posés en croix, la date dans les angles. Très rare. Beau. (principality of Liège, sede vacante, copper liard of St. Lambert of 1694, Liège mint. Obverse: mitred bust of the saint to left; reverse: five shields posed in a cross, the date in the angles. Very rare, fine.)"
The bishopric of Liège was an ecclesiastical state in central Belgium. The surrounding territory was ruled by the Spanish Hapsburgs from about 1500 until 1699 and the Austrian Hapsburgs 1714-97. This type was struck while the episcopal throne was vacant between the death of John Louis of Elderen and Joseph Clement of Bavaria. Originally a papal practice, such issues were made in Liège in 1688, 1694 and later.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: copper, this specimen is 3,67 g.
Catalog reference: KM 106, Chestret 659; Dengis 1133.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [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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