Zeeland (1581-83) 2 ducats Fr-300
This specimen was lot 1332 in Jean Elsen sale 123 (Brussels, December 2014), where it sold for €1,100 (about US$1,599 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"NEDERLAND, ZEELAND, De Staten in opstand, AV dubbele dukaat, z.j. (1581-1583), Middelburg. Spaans type. Met titel van Philips II. Droit : (burcht) PHLS D G HISP Z REX COM ZEL De naar elkaar toegewende bb. van de katholieke koningen, daartussen kruisje en S tussen vier punten. Revers: DVCATVS CO ZEL VAL HISP Gekroond Spaans wapen door een adelaar gehouden. Zeldzaam. Zeer Fraai. (Netherlands, province of Zeeland, States' Rebellion, gold double ducat without date c. 1581-83, Middelburg mint. Spanish type, with the title of Philip II. Obverse: facing busts of Ferdinand and Isabella divided by an 'S' and four dots; reverse: crowned arms of Spain supported by an eagle. Rare, very fine.)"
This exotic looking coin, an imitation of the double excelente of Ferdinand and Isabella, was struck during the States Revolt to protest Spanish oppression. By featuring the busts of long gone rulers, the minters harkened back to the good old days.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 7 g, 0.986 fine gold, .221 troy oz ASW; this specimen is 6,89 g.
Catalog reference: G.H., 261-12a; Delm-878; CNM 2.49.10, Fr-300.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 7th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2003.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 123, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2014.
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