Lot 4361

Siege coinage - 25 Sols or Stuivers 1581 struck on a square silver flan (Delm. 221 R3 / vG. 169 / Mailliet 112.8 / Vanhoudt 549 R4) - 14.66 gram - Obv. Dungeon dividing 15-81 + TORN.OBSESSO.5.OCT and c/m arms of the prince of Espinoy, governor of the town / Rev. Blank - VF - RRRR - of the highest rarity and never offered by us before - ex. collection Garrett, bank Leu sale Oct. 1984, lot 1259 - Tournai was the last city in the Zuidelijke Nederlanden that remained loyal to the Staten-Generaal. After the fall of Maastricht and Brabant, Alexander Farnese besieged the city on 5 October 1581. Due to the absence of the city's governor, the Prince of Espinoy, the defence was led by his wife Christine de Lalaing and by François de Divion. After a courageous resistance of two months, the city had to surrender on 30 November 1581. Two series of emergency coins were issued during the siege. On 20 October, the seized silver was melted down to produce 50, 25 and 12 1/2 stuivers. Due to a shortage of silver on 23 November copper 40, 20 and 10 stuivers were minted - of the highest rarity and never offered by us before