Albert VII of Austria (1559-1621) was Archduke of Austria, son of Emperor Maximilian II and Maria of Austria, and a member of the House of Habsburg.
Isabella Clara Eugenia of Austria (1566-1633), known as "Isabel of Spain" in this context, was Infanta of Spain, daughter of Philip II and Isabella of Valois.
Numismatics of Albert of Austria and Isabella Clara Eugenia
During the joint government of Albert of Austria and Isabella Clara Eugenia in the Netherlands (1598-1621), a numismatics of its own developed, politicized and of great interest to collectors due to its variety, artistic quality and historical context.
Monetary Policy and Context
Both promoted monetary stability in provinces marked by war and fluctuating prices for precious metals. As a result, their reign was numismatically divided into two periods: 1599–1612 and 1612–1621, adapting the weight and purity of coins according to economic circumstances.
The coins minted during their reign appear in both names, as they held legitimate sovereignty over the Spanish Netherlands during that period. This explains the absence of issues in the name of Philip III, the King of Spain during those years, in this region.
Main Types and Denominations
- Patagon: An emblematic silver coin, introduced in 1612, with a value of 48 sueldos. It was the coin primarily used to pay troops and features distinctive iconography: the Burgundy batons, the Golden Fleece, and the archdukes' monogram. Famous examples were minted in Antwerp and Brussels.
- Ducaton: Following the monetary reform of 1612, the ducaton (60 sueldos) became another key coin, heavier and more pure than the patagón. It was used primarily for large-scale transactions and was widely circulated even outside the Netherlands.
- Other denominations: Smaller coins were also issued, such as the "peerdeke," the silver "brasspenning," and the copper "gigot," as well as gold denominations such as the "ducat." In some cases, double and triple ducats were minted, ostentatious commemorative coins whose size and artistry were particularly striking.
Artistic and Technical Characteristics
The high artistic level of the engravers of the Antwerp and Brussels mints, influenced by the Flemish cultural environment of the time, is noteworthy.
The legends often include the names of both sovereigns: “ALBERTVS ET ELISABET DEI GRATIA” together with their linked initials (AA EE) and dynastic symbols such as the Cross of Burgundy and the Golden Fleece.
