Spanish Netherlands 1/2 Liard (Gigot des Etats) 1578-1580 Brabant, Philip II of Spain. Sehr Schön- (beschädigt!)

1578-1580, Spanish Netherlands, Brabant, Philip II of Spain. Copper ½ Liard (Gigot des Etats) Coin. Struck during Brabant Revolt against the Spanish!

Mint Year: 1578-1580
Mint Place: Antwerp, Belgium.
References: Gelder Hoc 253-1, Vanhoudt 383-AN.
Denomination: 1/2 Liard (Gigot des Etats) - Struck during the uprising against Spanish rule!
Condition: Damaged by a cut (possibly a cancellation mark), creased and straightened, otherwise VF+
Material: Copper
Diameter: 24mm
Weight: 3.35gm

Obverse: Royal crown of Spain above sparkling fire iron on X-shaped staves with Toison d'Or Order below.
Legend: PHS. D:G. HISP. Z. REX. DVX. BRA.


Reverse: Crowned arms of Austria-Burgundy in cartouche.
Legend: PACE. ET. IVSTITIA.



The uprising against Spain in Brabant from 1578 onward marked a critical turning point in the Eighty Years' War, transforming a short-lived pan-Netherlandish alliance into a bitter civil and religious conflict that ultimately split the region.



Philip II, King of Spain 1556-1598. Son of Emperor Charles V (King Charles I of Spain), founder of the Spanish line of Habsburg. * 1527 Valladolid, †1598 Escorial near Madrid. Philip II received from his father the following contries: in 1540 the Duchy of Milan, in 1554 the Kingdoms of Naples and Sicily and in 1555/56 the Netherlands, the Franche-Comté and Spain with its colonies. In 1580 Philip also claimed and took over Portugal. He strove for Spanish world supremacy and fought for the counter-reformation. He was married four times: Maria of Portugal (*1526, †1545 following the birth of Don Carlos), Queen Mary Tudor of England (1554, †1558), Elizabeth of Valois, daughter of King Henry II of France (1559, †1568) and finally, in 1570, Anna of Austria, daughter of Emperor Maximilian II. King Philip II fought successfully against France (1557-1559), against the Turks (Juan d'Austria's victory near Lepanto in 1571) and against Mediterranean pirates. However, his attempt to conquer England failed (destruction of the Armada in 1588, sea-battle of Cádiz in 1596), as did his efforts to subdue the revolting Netherlands (secession of the northern provinces). Philip's ongoing war efforts overstrained his financial and economic resources and eventually led to the decline of Spanish supremacy.

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