Bamberg (1732) 4 ducats
The first specimen was lot 1031 in Sincona sale 50 (Zürich, October 2018), where it sold for 16,000 CHF (about US$19,299 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Bamberg, Bistum. Friedrich Karl von Schönborn, 1729-1746. 4 Dukaten o. J. Bischofsbrustbild im Ornat nach rechts. Rv. Von zwei Löwen gehaltener vierfach behelmter und gekrönter Wappenschild mit Helmzier, mit Krummstab und Schwert belegt, dahinter Kreuzstab. Von grösster Seltenheit. Prachtvolle Erhaltung. Fast FDC. Exemplar der Slg. Otto, Auktion S. Rosenberg 27, Frankfurt a. M. 21.2.1910, Nr. 390. (Germany, Bishopric of Bamberg, Frederick Charles of Schonborn, 1729-46, undated quadruple ducat. Obverse: bust in cleric's garb facing right; reverse: two lions support helmeted arms, crosier and sword behind. Of the highest rarity, Cabinet piece. Almost brilliant uncirculated.)"
The second specimen was lot 2180 in Künker sale 352 (Osnabrück, Germany, September 2021), where it sold for €9,500 (about US$13,221 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"WÜRZBURG, BISTUM, Friedrich Karl von Schönborn, 1729-1746. 4 Dukaten o. J. Würzburg. GOLD. R Kl. Probierspur am Rand, leicht berieben, vorzüglich. (Germany, bishopric of Würzburg, Frederick Charles of Schönborn, 1729-46, undated quadruple ducat, Wurzburg mint. Rare, small test mark on edge, lightly polished, extremely fine.)"
This rare piece is attributed by the SCWC to 1732.
Recorded mintage: unknown but rare.
Specification: 14 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 13.26 g, the second specimen 13.15 g.
Catalog reference: KM 105, Heller 341. Krug 391. Fr--; Helmschrott 617.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, Sincona Jubilee Auction 50, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2018.
- 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.
- [2]Künker, Fritz Rudolf, Horst-Rudiger Künker, Ulrich Künker and Andreas Kaiser, Künker Auktion 352: Die Sammlung Hermann Schwarz: Faszination des gepragten Goldes. Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2021.
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