Tournai 1607 1/2 real
This specimen was lot 738 in Jean Elsen sale 165 (Brussels, June 2026), where it sold for €500 (about US$689 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"TOURNAI, Seigneurie, Albert et Isabelle (1598-1621), AR demi-réal, 1607. D/ Écu d'Autriche-Bourgogne couronné, posé sur une croix de Bourgogne, accosté de la date. R/ Briquet couronné, orné du bijou de la Toison d'or. Rare. Presque Très Beau. (lordship of Tournai, Albert and Isabella, 1598-1621, silver half real of 1607. Obverse: crowned arms of Austria-Burgundy over a Burgundian cross dividing the date; reverse crowned firesteel supporting a jewel of the Golden Fleece. Rare, about Very Fine.)"
This rare type is listed for Tournai for 1607-11. The denomination was also struck in Flanders and Brabant as part of Albert and Isabella's second coinage reform, the first one based on the silver florin not working. One réal d'argent was five sols.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.48 g, 0.396 fine silver, this specimen 3,27 g.
Catalog reference: KM 13, G.H. 294-7; Hoc 387; VH 596.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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 165, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2026.
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