Namur 1712 ecu Dav-1271A
This specimen was lot 1020 in Sincona sale 76 (Zürich, May 2022), where it sold for 28,000 CHF (about US$33,987 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BELGIUM | Namur, Grafschaft. Maximilian Emanuel von Bayern, 1711-1714. Reichstaler nach burgundischem Fuss 1712, Namur. Von grösster Seltenheit. Vorzüglich-FDC. NGC MS62 PL. Zwei übliche kleine Stempelfehler. (Belgium, county of Namur, Maximilian Emanuel of Bavaria, 1711-14, thaler of the Burgundian standard, Of the highest rarity, Extremely fine-uncirculated, Two usual small die flaws.)"
During the War of the Spanish Succession, Namur was governed by Maximilian Emanuel of Bavaria, ousted from his domain by the Austrians. This last opened a mint at Namur to strike coinage in the name of Philip V. In 1711, judging the war lost, Louis XIV persuaded Philip V to abandon his claim to sovereignty over the Low Countries in favor of Maximilian. While the peace was concluded between France and the Allies, Maximilian held Namur and Luxembourg until Bavaria was returned to him in 1714. Several varieties exist (Dav-1271 thru -1277) exist of this rare issue along with a half thaler or écu (KM 31). This variety has square arms on the reverse and the elector's hair flowing loose.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 27.98 g.
Catalog reference: KM 23, Delmonte 364 (R4). Hahn 202 var. Wittelsbach 1708 var., Dav-1271A.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- 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]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 76, The Annemarie and Gerd Köhlmoos Collection, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
Link to: