Maastricht (1579) sol

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Jean Elsen sale 158, lot 546
Brabant in 1559, from Shepherd's atlas

This specimen was lot 546 in Jean Elsen sale 158 (Brussels, March 2024), where it sold for €100 (about US$130 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,

"BRABANT, Duché, Maastricht assiégée par Alexandre Farnèse, Cu 1 sol, 1e émission (28 avril 1579). D/ Ecu de la ville sous une épée. Dans le champ: PRO- IVS/TAE- CAV/SAE- DEFE/NSI-ONE/ 15-79. R/ TRAIEC/TO AB HIS/PANIS OB/SESSO. La valeur I à l'exergue. Taches de vert-de-gris. Très Beau. (duchy of Brabant, Maastricht besieged by Alexander Farnese, copper one sol, first emission of April 1579. Obverse: arms of the town under a sword, in the field, "PRO- IVS/TAE- CAV/SAE- DEFE/NSI-ONE" (a just cause defended) and the date; reverse: four line legend, value below. Touches of verdigris, Very Fine.)"

Après le ralliement des provinces du Sud, le siège de Maastricht, du 12 mars au 28 juin 1579, fut le premier épisode de la reconquête du Brabant par l'armée espagnole d'Alexandre Farnèse. Après de durs combats, la ville fut enlevée par surprise lors d'un assaut nocturne et livrée au pillage pendant plusieurs jours. Il y eut trois émissions de monnaies de nécessité en cuivre pendant le siège. (After rallying the southern provinces, the siege of Maastricht, from March 12 to June 28, 1579, was the first episode in the reconquest of Brabant by the Spanish army of Alexander Farnese. After heavy fighting, the city was taken by surprise by a nighttime assault and pillaged for several days. There were three issues of copper necessity coins during the siege.)"

During the two month siege, the defenders had time to issue several types of emergency coins, some of which we feature here. The one and two sols are from the first series, the twelve and 24 sols from the second series and the 16 and forty sols from the third series. Farnese eventually reconquered the southern low Countries for Spain but besieged and destroyed Maastricht, Brussels, Tournai and Antwerp in the process. His campaign against the northern provinces was a destructive failure.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: copper; this specimen 3,54 g.

Catalog reference: W. 818; v.G. 148; VH 530.

Source:

  • van Gelder, H. Enno, and Marcel Hoc, Les Monnaies des pays-Bas Bourguignons et Espagnols, 1434-1713, Amsterdam, J. Schulman, 1960, with supplement of 1964.
  • [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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