Pattacon

From Marteau

liege-patagon-1679.jpg

Patagon of Liege, 1679.

History

The Spanish word for the "Albertustaler" or cross dollar (referring to the St. Andrews cross depicted). First issued under the governors Albert and Isabella in 1612, minted until 1712 with the weight of 24,54 g, and fixed at 48 patard or stuiver. The diocese of Liège began minting its own Patagons in 1635 showing usually the bust of the bishop and/or his coat of arms, and the Netherlands introduced the coin fixing it at 50 Dutch stuivers. The coin had the additional practical advantage that it matched Reichsthaler or rijksdaalder – the international currency unit.


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