Lowenstein-Wertheim 1622 liard
This specimen was lot 1145 in Jean Elsen sale 143 (Brussels, December 2019), where it sold for €1,300 (about US$1,697 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"CUGNON, Jean Théodore de Löwenstein (1611-1644), AR liard, 1622. D/ B. cuir. à d., le col fraisé. R/ IN CVGNON CVSVS 1622 Ecu couronné. Extrêmement rare. Très Beau. (county of Cugnon, John Theodore of Lowenstein, 1611-44, copper liard of 1622. Obverse: armored bust right in a ruffed collar; reverse: crowned arms. Extremely rare, Very Fine.)"
This is listed in the SCWC as a heller and is not priced therein. The identification is tentative, as the picture in the SCWC is a crude hand sketch, not a photo. The village of Cugnon is today in the Belgian province of Luxembourg, not too far from the French border. Being a border town, it would have been easy for its lord to strike unauthorized coinage imitating that of a larger neighbor, i.e., France.
Reported Mintage: unknown but few.
Specification: copper, this specimen 3,32 g.
Catalog reference: KM 14, Weiller 7; De Mey N13 (rare).
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, Vente Publique 143, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2019.
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