Luxembourg (1383-84) blan-gros
This specimen was lot 1233 in Jean Elsen sale 164 (Brussels, March 2026), where it sold for €100 (about US$139 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"LUXEMBOURG, Duché, Wenceslas II (1383-1388), AR blan-gros, s.d. (1383-1384), Luxembourg. Au titre de roi de Bohême. D/ + WENCEL BOEMIE REX AC LVC DVX Croix formée de quatre V autour d'un ornement cruciforme. R/ + MONETA NOVA LVCEBVRGENS' Les écus de Bohême et de Luxembourg sous une couronne. Faiblesse de frappe. Belle patine. presque Très Beau. (duchy of Luxembourg, Wenceslaus II, 1383-88, undated silver blan-gros, circa 1383-84, Luxembourg mint, with the title of king of Bohemia. Obverse: cross formed of four "V's" around a cruciform ornament; reverse: arms of Bohemia and Luxembourg under a crown. Weakly struck, nice patina, about Very Fine.)"
Wenceslaus II was duke of Luxembourg (1383-88), king of Bohemia (1378-1419) and king of Germany (1376-1400). Luxembourg became part of the Burgundian inheritance in 1443. We're not sure how this coin varied from the gros struck in the other provinces, such as Brabant, Flanders, Hainaut and Namur. A demi-blan-gros also exists but appears to be very rare.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.91-3.5 g, silver, 28 mm diameter; this specimen 2,82 g.
Catalog reference: Weiller 151; Probst L160-1.
- 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 164: Monnaies du duché de Brabant et du royaume de Belgique, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.
Link to:
- Luxembourg (1362) gros, Wenceslaus I
- Luxembourg (1380-83) gros, Wenceslaus I
- Luxembourg (1384-88) gros, Wenceslaus II
- Coins and currency dated 1383