2 Patards / Stivers - Charles the Bold

Charles the Bold spent the years between 1468 and 1474 systematically consolidating the Burgundian Netherlands into something approaching a centralized state, and monetary reform was central to that project. His 1467 ordinance imposed new coinage standards across the Burgundian territories, and the patard was the workhorse denomination — the coin that paid wages, settled small debts, and moved through markets daily. Brabant's mint at Leuven was one of several brought to heel under these reforms.

The high silver fineness held through this issue reflects Charles's deliberate policy of maintaining coin quality to facilitate cross-territory commerce. After his death at Nancy in January 1477, the coinage standards he imposed collapsed within months.