Austrian Netherlands 1751(h) 10 souverain d'or Fr-140
This specimen was lot 30122 in Heritage auction 3096 (Dallas, TX, March 2021), where it sold for $150,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Wonderful Pattern 10 Souverain d'Or Bearing the Portrait of Franz I. Austrian Netherlands: Maria Theresa gold Pattern 10 Souverain d'Or (Ducaton) 1751 MS61 NGC, Antwerp mint. Draped and cuirassed bust of Franz I right / Coat of arms on chest of double-headed imperial eagle, surrounded by the chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece. As early as 1750, the Court of Vienna expressed the wish to have coins bearing the effigy of Franz I struck in the Austrian Netherlands, an idea which was met with some controversy as the Emperor was not considered sovereign over the territory. In 1751, however, coins of "five double sovereigns in gold" were minted bearing his portrait in two styles, one with the reverse design featuring Maria Theresa, and the other with the reverse design as seen on this present offering (Mémoire de la Jointe des Monnaies, January 9, 1774). Very few examples were produced, and they were not issued into circulation. As such, this type may be properly categorized as a Pattern or Essai issue, as it is described in the Standard Catalog of World Coins and in Delmonte. The present offering appears fully Mint State, with no trace of wear, while rippling Prooflike reflectivity appears in the fields-suggestive of a Proof or Specimen striking. Known only to Delmonte from a specimen in the Cabinet de Bruxelles, an example of the type most recently achieved 190,000 Euros in November 2017, reaffirming its supreme rarity and desirability among collectors. From the Paramount Collection."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 55.3 g, 0.919 fine gold, this specimen 55.42 g.
Catalog reference: KM-Pn1 (Rare), Fr-140 (under Belgium and Franz I), Eypeltauer-717, Herinek-666 (under Franz I), Delm-214 (R3), Vanhoudt-843 (R3).
- Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3096, featuring the Paramount Collection of World & Ancient Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
Link to:
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- Austrian Netherlands 1751(h) 10 souverain d'or Fr-139
- Coins and currency dated 1751