Netherlands, Brabant (Duchy of) Albrecht & Isabella. Patard ( 3 Stuiver ) z.j. 1618 Doornik (Tournai

Doornik (Tournai) – Albrecht & Isabella – Triple Patard (3 stuivers) 1618 – Extremely rare

SOUTHERN NETHERLANDS – ALBRECHT & ISABELLA (1598–1621)

Nominal: Triple Patard / 3 stuivers
Year: 1618
Mint: Doornik (Tournai)
Weight: 2.24 g
Diameter: 27 mm
References: Van Gelder & Hoc 315-7; Vanhoudt I 415; Vanhoudt 624 TO; De Mey 1846
Origin/inventory number: SN8785

An extremely rare triple patard from 1618, struck in Doornik during the joint rule of Archdukes Albert and Isabella over the Southern Netherlands.

The rarity of exactly the year 1618 deserves special attention. For this issue, a coinage of 505,771 pieces is listed for the years 1616–1618, but the 1618-dated minting is noted as ‘non retrouvé’ – not found. Thus it represents an exceptionally rare year within this coinage.

Albrecht & Isabella

The rule of Albert VII and Isabella Clara Eugenia marks a notable period in the history of the Southern Netherlands. They ruled jointly from 1598, and their names and portraits were immortalized on numerous coins from this period.

Their government fell in the middle of the Eighty Years' War, but also encompassed most of the Twelve Years' Truce (1609–1621). This temporary interruption of hostilities brought the Southern Netherlands a period of relative calm and economic recovery. The coinage of Albert and Isabella is a tangible reminder of this special episode.

Struck in Doornik

Doornik, present-day Tournai, had its own mint and occupied a distinct position within the Southern Netherlands coinage. The triple patard represented a value of three stuivers and formed part of the silver monetary traffic of the early seventeenth century.

For collectors of the Southern Netherlands, the combination of mint Doornik and the scarcely encountered year 1618 is of major importance.

A coin of the utmost rarity: the triple patard of Albert & Isabella, Doornik 1618 – a year in numismatic documentation even listed as ‘non retrouvé’.}