Austrian Netherlands currency [Risolto]

We currently have two currencies for the Austrian Netherlands

Kronenthaler (1744-1798)

Brabant Revolution - Florin
These only represent different ruling authorities, so the first thing I would request is that they be merged.

The article on page 11 of RBN Vol 46 sets out the currency of the Austrian Netherlands and identifies two accounting systems in the ratio 6:7. It's clear that the one used on the coins from 1704 was the argent courant and not the argent de change. This puts the Kronenthaler (refered to in the article as the couronne) at 3 florins 3 sols (63 sols or 252 liards), the ducaton (at the time of issue) at 3 florins 10 sols and the escalin at 7 sols. It also explains why the 14 liard coin was issued (here listed as the plaquette), since it was half an escalin or 1/18 of a couronne. We are currently valuing the smaller denominations at 216 liard to the Kronenthaler, based on the argent de change, which the article shows not to be correct.

I suggest that we consolidate the two existing currencies into a single Florin (1744-1798), since the florin was the unit of account, with the following description:

4 Liards = 1 Sol, 7 Sols = 1 Ecalin, 20 Sols = 1 Florin, 63 Sols = 1 Couronne (Kronenthaler), 70 Sols = 1 Ducaton

The value of the Souverain changed whilst it was being issued, so I'd recommend indicating that only on the individual coin pages. If this meets with everyone's approval, please change the currency and then I'll request the necessary changes to the individual coins.

I could not open the link, but yes, I agree we should look at this and make changes that are appropriate.  

Because of the issue with the 1 and 2 souverain coins raised here:  https://en.numista.com/forum/topic132854.html  I was reading de WItte Volume 3 on the coinage of Maria Theresa just a few hours ago, and I also noticed that the early coinage of this reign was valued in relation to the florin (gulden) of the earlier Spanish Netherlands system, and terms “de change” and “courant" were used (p.289).   I interpreted these as (a) the value when exchanging older currency (because at the beginning of this reign there was a huge problem of older and foreign coins as none had been struck for 30 years), and the (b) the value in the new currency system.

So I agree with your main point.

DeWItte also mentions the gold-silver ratio fluctuating as you mention, so the value of a souverain will fluctuate in relation to the (silver) florin/gulden.  

I will read a bit more and respond o the details in your proposal tomorrow.

The link should work now.

Perfect.  

I agree completely with your proposal.

Both the Chalon article in RBN (1890) and de Witte Volume 3 (1899) draw on the same sources:

- decree of 19 Sept, 1749 that specified the double sovereign, sovereign,  ducaton and its fractions, the escalin and smaller silver 

- decree of 19 July, 1755 that specified the crown and its fractions 

Per de Witte, the 1749 decree has the double sovereign at 17 florins, 17 sols (courant) and the sovereign at 8 florins 17.5 sols (courant), which doesn't quite add up right.  

The Chalon article is referring to their values in 1794, and are slightly different.

I am glad to follow the trail in de Witte on the value of the gold coins and make those modifications, if you want to do the silver modifications. 

And thank you very much for taking the initiative on this.

That all sounds fine. It might be best to get the currencies changed first, then I'll submit the changes for the copper and silver coins.

Agree.

Currency updated! I'll remove the other one once emptied

The 1790 insurrection currency is now empty.

Deleted!