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Charles V (1506–1555) – Gigot / 6 Mites – Habsburg NetherlandsScarce hammered fractional coin issued under Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, during the first half of the 16th century.Attribution: Charles V (Charles Quint / Karl V)
Denomination: Gigot / 6 Mites
Region: Habsburg Netherlands
Period: 16th century, reign of Charles V
Metal: Billon / low-silver alloy
Weight: 0.8 grams
Diameter: Approx. 19–20 mm
Manufacture: Hammered
The attribution is supported by the surviving legends, design and weight.Obverse: Crowned composite shield with portions of the imperial legend surviving. Readable fragments include KAROLVS, ROM and IMP, corresponding to the recorded Charles V titulature KAROLVS ROM IMPERAT.Reverse: Large cross with a smaller central device/fleur-de-lis and subsidiary devices in the fields. Portions of the surrounding prayer remain visible, including letters consistent with CO[NTRA] … HOSTES … TVOS, from the abbreviated formula D M VIRTVTE CO HOSTES TVOS (Da mihi virtutem contra hostes tuos — “Give me strength against your enemies”).Period numismatic literature describes this Charles V denomination as a gigot or piece of 6 mites, including a documented specimen weighing 0.80 g, matching this example.The coin is well circulated with substantial wear, dark toning/patina, areas of weak strike and some peripheral irregularity. Nevertheless, significant portions of the legends and design remain identifiable. Please inspect all photographs carefully as they form part of the description.An interesting small-denomination issue from the vast Habsburg territories of Charles V (1500–1558) and a much different attribution from the medieval Provençal type under which this coin was previously identified.
