Bamberg 1697-GFN 10 ducats Fr-168c
This specimen was lot 30202 in Heritage auction 3096 (Dallas, TX, March 2021), where it sold for $132,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Nearly Prooflike and Potentially Unique Lothar Franz 10 Ducat. German States: Bamberg. Lothar Franz von Schönborn gold 10 Ducat 1697-GFN MS61+ NGC, Nürnberg mint. By Georg Friedrich Nürnberger. Struck from Taler dies (cf. KM 95). Perhaps the most perceivable feature of this 10 Ducat, aside from its obvious rarity, is its manifold medallic features--from the striking raised reliefs of the designs, to the semi-reflective sheen present over its fields that is appreciable even at an arm's length. Clearly deserving of its "plus" certification by virtue of its near-flawless minting, we note that Krug, at the time of publishing his Die Münzen des Hochstifts Bamberg, knew of only a single example (this piece). Although neither Davenport nor the Standard Catalog of World Coins records any special occasion for the production of the Taler struck from the same dies, the fact that Georg Friedrich Nürnberger produced a series of 1697-dated medals for Lothar Franz in his position both as Archbishop-Elector of Mainz and Bishop of Bamberg to commemorate the Peace of Ryswick (cf. Forrer Vol. IV, pg. 290, cf. Heller-313-318 for medals by other artists), strongly suggests that a similar purpose lies behind the execution of this special gold striking. The Peace of Ryswick marked the cessation of hostilities between France under Louis XIV and the Grand Alliance. With Lothar's former coadjutor and predecessor as Archbishop of Mainz, Anselm Franz, long exercising a policy of opposition to the French King, it is hardly surprising that the event would have held a special meaning for Lothar Franz. While we have been unable to find any other sales records for this emission, we sold a 5 Ducat of the same Bishop, certified AU55, as part of the Eric P. Newman Collection for $30,550 in January 2014. Ex. Bankhaus Partin Auction 26 (March 1988, Lot 6). From the Paramount Collection."
This and a five ducats (Fr-168d) are the only gold coins of this prince who ruled 36 years (1693-1729).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 35 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 34.74 g.
Catalog reference: KM-B97 (Rare), Fr-168c (Very Rare; different dies), Heller-Unl., Krug-370.02 (citing this coin).
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- [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.
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