Tournai 1587 1/2 ecu
This specimen was lot 1217 in Jean Elsen sale 164 (Brussels, March 2026), where it sold for €320 (about US$446 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"TOURNAI, Seigneurie, Philippe II (1555-1598), AR demi-écu Philippe, 1587. D/ B. cuir. à g. R/ Écu couronné avec écusson de Portugal sur le tout, sur une croix de Bourgogne, entre deux briquets, portant le bijou de la Toison d'or. Griffes au droit. Très Beau. (lordship of Tournai, Philip II, 1555-98, silver half écu Philippe of 1587. Very Fine.)"
This type was struck for Philip II of Spain 1582-99 along with 1/20, 1/10, 1/5 and whole écus Philippe in an early attempt at decimal coinage. In 1586, the arms of Portugal were added to the reverse.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 17.1 g, 0.833 fine silver, this specimen 17,03 g.
Catalog reference: G.H. 211-14c; Delm-77; Hoc 266; VH 364.
- 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 164: Monnaies du duché de Brabant et du royaume de Belgique, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.
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