Netherlands Spanish Artois Escalin 1621 to 1652

Thanks to a complicated web of wars, marriage and political treaties, the area today known as the Netherlands was once controlled by the Spanish crown, along with some surrounding provinces that are now part of France and Belgium. In 1581, a section of the area became the self-governing country of the Netherlands, and the remaining territories were then known as the Spanish Netherlands.

Artois, located in what is now northern France, to the south of Flanders, was one such Spanish-controlled territory. Coins were struck in the name of the Spanish king at the time, Philip IV. The denomination was called an 'escalin', worth 15 French sols of silver.

The front (or 'obverse') shows a rampant lion with sword and shield, while the reverse displays the beautiful crowned shield of Philip IV superimposed on St. Andrew's cross. Catalog values are not too shabby, as listed below:

worn: $20 US dollars approximate catalog value
average circulated: $85
well preserved: $200

The above values are only guidelines. Magnificent specimens with a very strong strike and virtually no wear can catalog at $300 and beyond.

Severely damaged coins will be worth around $5 or so. Please see our Important Terminology page found at the top left in order to properly interpret these catalog values.
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