Brabant 1662(a) 1/2 ducaton
This specimen was lot 776 in Jean Elsen sale 133 (Brussels, June 2017), where it sold for €280 (about US$370 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"BRABANT, Duché, Philippe IV (1621-1665), AR demi-ducaton, 1662, Bruxelles. Deuxième type. D/ B. dr. et cuir. à d. R/ Ecu couronné, tenu par deux lions. En dessous, le bijou de la Toison d'or. Très Beau. (duchy of Brabant, Philip IV, 1621-65, silver half ducaton of 1662, Brussels mint, second type. Obverse: draped and armored bust to right' reverse: crowned arms supported by two lions, Order of the Golden Fleece around. Very fine.)"
Ducatons were issued in the Spanish Netherlands and associated states (including the bishopric of Liege and Franche Comte) during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, where they competed with French écus, German talers and Dutch daalders and patagons. The half ducaton shown here was struck at the Antwerp and Brussels mints 1637-66. The SCWC prices the Brussels issues about double the Antwerp issue. The series is plagued by bad planchets and poor strikes, reducing their appeal to collectors.
Reported Mintage: unknown.
Specification: 16.24 g, .944 fine silver, this specimen 16,38 g.
Catalog reference: KM 73.2, G.H. 328-3b; Delm. 289; W. 1023.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- van der Wis, Jan, and Tom Passon, Catalogus van de Nederlandse Munten geslagen sind bet aantreden van Philips II tot aan het einde van de Bataafse Republiek (1555-1806), 2nd ed., Apeldoorn, Netherlands: Omni-Trading b.v., 2009.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 133, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils, S.A., 2017.
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