Tournai 1657 1/2 patagon
This specimen was lot 744 in Jean Elsen sale 165 (Brussels, June 2026), where it sold for €380 (about US$523 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"TOURNAI, Seigneurie, Philippe IV (1621-1665), AR demi-patagon, 1657. D/ Croix de Bourgogne sous une couronne, portant le bijou de la Toison d'or. R/ Écu couronné, entouré du collier de la Toison d'or. Très rare. Petits éclats sur la tranche. Très Beau. (lordship of Tournai, Philip IV, 1621-65, silver half patagon of 1657. Obverse: Burgundian cross under a crown, supporting the jewel of the Golden Fleece; reverse: crowned arms, order chain around. Very rare, minor cracks on the edge, very Fine.)"
Patagons were issued in the Spanish Netherlands and associated states (including the bishopric of Liège and Franche Comte) during the seventeenth century, where they competed with French écus, German talers and Dutch daalders and ducatons. The type shown here was struck at the Tournai mint 1626, 1630-36, 1645-48, 1652-60, 1663-65 and all dates are priced the same. Half patagons were also struck in Flanders, Artois, Burgundy, Luxemburg and Brabant. The series is plagued by bad planchets and poor strikes, reducing their appeal to collectors.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 14.05 g, 0.875 fine silver, this specimen 14,02 g.
Catalog reference: KM 48, G.H. 330-9; Delm. 308; Hoc 569; VH 646.
- 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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