1 Liard - Ernest of Lynden Bust type

Historical Context: Ernest of Lynden, Lord of Reckem, issued this copper Liard during the tumultuous early 17th century (1623-1636). This era in the Low Countries, then part of the Spanish Netherlands, was marked by the Eighty Years' War and significant political fragmentation. The issuance of local coinage by minor lordships like Reckem underscored their seigniorial rights and economic autonomy, facilitating everyday commerce within their domains amidst broader regional instability. This coin tangibly records Reckem's independent minting privilege.

Artistry: The artistry of this Liard, a common copper denomination, reflects the prevailing Early Baroque style. While the specific engraver remains unrecorded, the design features a realistic bust of Ernest of Lynden on the obverse, a common trope for rulers asserting authority and legitimacy. This portraiture, likely facing right, would have been rendered with strong, if simplified, lines characteristic of low-denomination coinage. The reverse typically bore the lord's coat of arms or a monogram, encircled by his titles.

Technical/Grading: For collectors, the high-points on the obverse bust typically include the tip of the nose, cheekbone, and details of any drapery or armor. On the reverse, the central elements of the herald