Hainaut 1584 liard
This specimen was lot 964 in Jean Elsen sale 147 (Brussels, June 2021), where it sold for €220 (about US$322 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"HAINAUT, Comté, Philippe II (1555-1598), Cu liard, 1584, Mons. D/ B. cour. à g. R/ Ecu couronné. Très Beau. (county of Hainault, Philip II, 1555-98, copper liard of 1584, Mons mint. Obverse: crowned bust left; reverse: crowned arms. Very Fine.)"
By the time this coin was issued, the county of Hainaut had long ceased to have any political independence and was one of Philip II of Spain's many dominions. In the French system, a liard was one-fourth of a sou and weighed about 3 grams; the liard of Artois was a little heavier so we surmise that it was worth more. This liard is similar to those struck in Artois, Brabant and Tournai.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: copper; this specimen 5,29 g.
Catalog reference: G.H. 232-10; Chalon 187; Lucas, Hainaut, 206.
- 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 147: Monnaies, Médailles et Décorations, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2021.
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