Tournai 1620 ducaton Dav-4430
This specimen was lot 1276 in Jean Elsen sale 160 (Brussels, November 2024), where it sold for €9,000 (about US$11,394 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"TOURNAI, Seigneurie, Albert et Isabelle (1598-1621), AR ducaton, 1620. D/ B. accolés des archiducs à d. R/ Ecu couronné, tenu par deux lions, au-dessus du bijou de la Toison d'or. De la plus haute rareté. Probablement le troisième exemplaire connu. Nettoyé. Frappé sur flan large. (lordship of Tournai, Albert and Isabella, 1598-1621, silver ducaton of 1620. Obverse: accolated busts of the archdukes facing right; reverse: crowned arms supported by two lions, jewels of the Golden Fleece below. Extremely rare, probably the third example known, cleaned, struck on a large planchet, about very fine.)
L'émission du ducaton d'Albert et Isabelle fut particulièrement restreinte à Tournai. Le compte du 1er septembre 1618 au 10 octobre 1620 mentionne la frappe de 2135 exemplaires seulement. Dans le même temps, plus de 100.000 patagons et 2.300.000 pièces de trois patards furent mis en circulation. Hoc ne recense que deux exemplaires de 1620 en poids simple, trois en poids double et un en or. Pour un autre exemplaire de 1618, voir notre vente 158, 22 mars 2024, lot 810 (adjugé 17.000 € + frais). presque Très Beau. Acheté à Bruxelles le 20 mai 1978. (The emission of ducatons for Albert and Isabella was particularly restrained at Tournai. The accounts for September 1618-October 1620 mention the striking of only 2,135 examples. At the same time, more than 100,000 patagons and 2,300,000 triple patards were placed in circulation. Hoc reports two examples dated 1620 of single weight, three in double weight and one in gold. For another example dated 1618, see our sale 158, lot 810. Purchased in Brussels in May 1978.)"
This extremely rare type was struck at Tournai 1618 and 1620 only. The ducatons of Philip IV are not common but are much more available.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 32.48 g, 0.944 fine silver, this specimen is 32,07 g.
Catalog reference: KM 32, Dav-4430, G.H. 309-7; Delm-251; Hoc 433; VH 617.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1600-1700, Galesburg, IL, 1974.
- 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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