Baden-Durlach 1721-BIB ducat Fr-127
This specimen was lot 2408 in Sincona Auction 101 (Zürich, October 2025), where it sold for 13,500 CHF (about US$20,347 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"DEUTSCHLAND Baden-Durlach, Markgrafschaft, ab 1806 Grossherzogtum. Karl Wilhelm, 1709-1738. Dukat 1721, Darmstadt. Münzmeister Balthasar Johann Bethmann. .CARL.D.G.MARCH.BAD.&.HACH. Geharnischtes Brustbild nach rechts mit umgelegtem Mantel, unter dem Armabschnitt die Münzmeistersignatur B.I.B. Rv. Gekrönter badischer Schild mit der Kette des Hausordens der Treue mit angehängtem Kreuz, von zwei Greifen auf Sockeln stehend gehalten. unten die geteilte Jahreszahl. Äusserst selten. (Germany, margraviate of Baden-Durlach, Charles William, 1709-38, ducat of 1721, Darmstadt mint. Obverse: armored and mantled bust right, the mintmaster's signature B.I.B. below the truncation; reverse: Crowned arms with order chain around, supported by two griffins standing on pedestals, divided date below. Extremely rare. NGC MS62.)"
In 1535, Baden was divided into Baden-Baden (Catholic) and Baden-Durlach (Lutheran). The two parts remained separate until 1771, when the Baden-Baden line fell extinct. In the early eighteenth century, Baden-Durlach was a minor state subject to frequent French invasions and issued little coinage.
Recorded mintage: 300.
Specification: 3.49 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 3.42 g.
Catalog reference: KM 64, Wielandt 626. Fr-127.
- 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]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 101: World Coins, Medals and Banknotes, Swiss Confederate Coins, Medals and Banknotes, Shooting Coins and Medals, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
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