Loon (1354-61) 1/2 groat
This specimen was lot 957 in Jean Elsen sale 158 (Brussels, March 2024), where it sold for €1,300 (about US$1,691 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"LOON, Graafschap, Diederik van Heinsberg (1336-1361), AR halve groot met de leeuw, na 1354, Hasselt. Vz/ + THEODRIC· COMES· LOCEN Klimmende leeuw n. l. Kz/ MON-ETA- ASS-ELT Lang gevoet kruis. Uiterst zeldzaam. goede Zeer Fraai. Imitatie van de halve groot van Willem V, graaf van Holland, geslagen te Dordrecht in 1354-1356 (Grolle 17.2.3) (county of Loon, Diederik van Heinsberg (1336-1361), silver half groat with the lion, struck after 1354, Hasselt mint. Obverse: lion rampant left; reverse: long floriate cross. Extremely rare, good Very Fine. An imitation of the half groat of William V, count of Holland, struck in Dordrecht in 1354-56.)"
The county of Loon was gradually absorbed into the prince-bishopric of Liège and comprised its northern, Dutch-speaking portion. A later Heinsberg became bishop of Liège 1419-55.
Reported Mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver or billon, this specimen 0,65 g.
Catalog reference: Baerten 60; Lucas 109 var.; Men. 21b var.
- 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 158, Monnaies de la Principauté de Liège, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
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