Flanders 1694 8 souverain d'or Fr-229
The first specimen is lot 286 in UBS sale 84 (Basel, January 2010). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BELGIEN, Flandern, Grafschaft. Charles II. 1665-1700. 8 Souverain d'or 1694, Brügge. Geharnischtes Brustbild mit langen Haaren nach rechts. Rv. Gekröntes Wappen, gehalten von zwei Löwen. Just. Vorzüglich-FDC" (Belgium, county of Flanders, Charles II, 1665-1700, 8 souverain d'or of 1694, Brussels mint. Obv: armored bust with long hair, facing right. Rev: crowned arms supported by two lions. Extremely fine to uncirculated).
The second specimen was lot 717 in Jean Elsen sale 141 (Brussels, June 2019), where it sold for €44,000 (about US$58,312 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"VLAANDEREN, Graafschap, Karel II (1665-1700), AV 8 souverein (gouden dukaton), 1694, Brugge. Slechts 639 st. geslagen. Vz/ Bb. van de koning r. met mantel en halsketting van het Gulden Vlies. Kz/ Gekroond wapenschild gesteund door twee leeuwen. Onderaan het juweel van het Gulden Vlies. Van de grootste zeldzaamheid Lichte montagesporen. Zeer Fraai. De eerste gouden dukatons van Karel II werden in 1666 te Antwerpen en Brussel aangemunt, ter gelegenheid van de inhuldiging van de jonge koning. Later, in 1687, sloeg men in Brussel de eerste exemplaren met de muntpers. Deze werd te Brugge in gebruik genomen rond 1693 en diende voor het slaan van de prachtige gouden dukatons en halve dukatons van Vlaanderen. (county of Flanders, Charles II, 1665-1700, eight souverains or gold ducaton of 1694, Bruges mint. Obverse: mantled bust right, decorated with the Order of the Golden Fleece; reverse: crowned arms supported by two lions, Order of the Golden Fleece around. Extremely rare, small mount mark, Very Fine. The first golden ducatons were struck for Charles II in 1666 in Antwerp and Brussels on his coronation. later, in 1687, more were made in Brussels using the new coin press. This was installed in Bruges about 1693 and used to strike these beautiful gold ducatons and half ducatons for Flanders.)"
This rare and expensive type was struck during the reign of Charles II, the last Hapsburg king of Spain. It is accompanied by a rare eight souverain d'or from Brabant. The one and two souverain d'or or lion d'or were issued more extensively. After Charles' death, the French and Austrian pretenders contended for the region, which ultimately fell to Austria.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 44.36 g, .948 fine gold, the first specimen 44.33 g, the second specimen 44,22 g.
Catalog reference: G.H. 346-4; Delm-567; V.H. 703, Delm-567, Fr-229, KM 92.
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- [1]UBS Gold & Numismatics, Auction 84: Gold and Silver Coins, Basel, 2009.
- 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.
- [2]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 141, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2019.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
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