Brabant 1684(h) 1/2 ducaton
This specimen was lot 1181 in Jean Elsen sale 160 (Brussels, November 2024), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"BRABANT, Duché, Charles II (1665-1700), AR demi-ducaton, 1684, Anvers. Troisième type. D/ B. âgé à d., cuirassé, les cheveux longs. R/ Ecu couronné, tenu par deux lions, orné du bijou de la Toison d'or. Extrêmement rare. Pièce d'épave avec de légères traces de corrosion typiques. Belle patine. Très Beau. Provient de notre vente 59, 20 septembre 1999, 1479. (duchy of Brabant, Charles II, 1665-1700, silver half ducaton of 1684, Antwerp mint, third type. Obverse: mature armored bust right, in long hair; reverse: crowned arms supported by two lions, decorated with the jewels of the Golden Fleece. Extremely rare, traces of corrosion, nice patina, very fine.)"
This specimen was offered again as lot 671 in Jean Elsen sale 161 (Brussels, March 2025), where it sold for €1,800 (about US$2,344 including buyer's fees). This type was struck 1682-84 at Brussels and Antwerp and is one of the keys of Spanish Netherlands coinage. The feeble reign of Charles II, the last of the Spanish Hapsburgs, was a disaster for Belgium, as the region was repeatedly invaded and devastated by the armies of Louis XIV. The turmoil did not end with Charles' death, as the powers of Europe fought a fifteen year war over partitioning the Hapsburg empire. In 1714, Belgium passed to Austria to keep it out of the hands of the French.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 16.24 g, 0.944 fine silver, this specimen is 14,43 g.
Catalog reference: KM 104.1, G.H. 349-1b; Delm-337; W. 1056; VH 697.
- 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 160, Collection de deniers liegeois et Collection de monnaies d'or francaises, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
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