1604 Spanish Netherlands Gold 2ALB NGC MS62

Finest Known Spanish Brabant/Antwerp Gold 2ALB

This gold 2ALB coin is a rare 1604 Spanish Netherlands Brabant/Antwerp struck during the reign of Spain's King Philip III. Well over 400 years old, it's an amazing piece of history that hails from the Golden Age of Piracy.

The Dim-Witted King And His Corrupt Minister

The Spanish Netherlands comprised most of the modern state of Belgium and Luxembourg as well as part of northern France and were ruled by King Philip III, who placed control of his government's machinations in the hands of his corrupt chief minister, the Duke of Lerma. Described by historians as a weak, dim-witted, undistinguished, insignificant, and miserable monarch, Philip ascended to the throne in 1598 upon the death of his father, the legendary Philip II, when the Spanish Empire was at its apex. Over the next two decades of his reign, Philip III presided over the empire's gradual decline, preferring to spend his time hunting, traveling, and playing games over actually governing his vast territory.

The Finest Known Specimen Of This Coin

Struck in 5.17 grams of highly pure 90% fine gold, this coin features a very nicely centered design and exhibits a sharp strike. The obverse features the crowned shield coat of arms in a collar of golden fleece, and the reverse features a St. Andrew's Cross, a crown above with the golden fleece below. The reverse is rotated about 90 degrees to the right, like many of the old, hammered coins. The coin is so nice that the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) has certified, graded, and encapsulated it as being in beautiful Uncirculated Mint State-62 (MS62) condition. NGC has graded a total of four of these coins, with no coins grading higher, making this the finest known!

Bottom line? This is a gorgeous specimen, and we have only ONE available, so act fast!