Liege (1565) 2-1/2 patards
This specimen was lot 1092 in Jean Elsen sale 156 (Brussels, September 2023), where it sold for €150 (about US$193 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"LIEGE, Principauté, Gérard de Groesbeeck (1564-1580), AR demi-sprenger, s.d., Hasselt. D/ Ecu de Groesbeeck dans un cartouche orné. R/ Croix feuillue et ornée, coupant la légende. Belle patine. Très Beau. Provient de la collection A. Symkens, 25 novembre 1991. (principality of Liège, Gérard de Groesbeeck, 1564-80, undated silver half sprenger, Hasselt mint. Obverse: arms of the bishop in an ornate cartouche; reverse: ornate leafy cross cutting the legend. Beautiful patina, Very Fine.)"
The bishopric of Liège was an ecclesiastical state in central Belgium and usually ruled by a Hapsburg client. The surrounding territory was ruled by the Spanish Hapsburgs from about 1500 until 1699 and the Austrian Hapsburgs 1714-97. The patard was equivalent to the Dutch stuiver.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen is 3,63 g.
Catalog reference: Chestret 512; Dengis 926.
- Roberts, James N., The Silver Coins of Medieval France (476-1610 AD), S. Salem, NY: Attic Books, 1996.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 156, Collection de Monnaies de la Principauté de Liège, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2023.
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