Basel (1720) 8 ducats Fr-73
This specimen was lot 6043 in Sincona sale 81 (Zürich, October 2022), where it sold for 34,000 CHF (about US$40,749 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SWITZERLAND | Basel | Stadt und Kanton, 8 Dukaten o. J. (um 1720), Basel. Nach rechts blickender Basilisk hält das von acht Vogteiwappen umgebene Basler Wappen. Rv. Statue des Stadtgründers Lucius Munatius Plancus in römischer Rüstung mit Kommandostab und Schild auf einem Kapitel stehend. Auf seinem Helm ein Basilisk. Stempelschneider Justin de Beyer (Av.). Äusserst selten. Vorzüglich-FDC. Auf der Rückseite zweimal fein eingravierte Wertzahl 8 (Dukaten). (canton of Basel, undated eight ducats, circa 1720, Basel mint. Obverse: a basilisk faces right, supporting the city arms; reverse: statue of founder Lucius Munatius Plancus in Roman dress with commander's baton and a shield atop a standing column, a basilisk on his helmet. Extremely rare, Extremely fine-uncirculated, Very finely engraved nominal value 8 (Ducats) twice on reverse.)"
This type is not listed in the SCWC or HMZ because it is a medal, along with the similar twelve, ten ducats and six ducats. We include it here because it is mentioned in Friedberg.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 28 g, 0.986 fine gold; this specimen 27.32 g.
Catalog reference: KM unlisted, Winterstein 225, Haller 1296, Anm. (zu 12 & 10 Dukaten), Fr-73.
- 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.
- Richter, Jürg, and Ruedi Kunzmann, Neuer HMZ-Katalog, Band 2: Die Münzen der Schweiz und Liechtensteins 15//16. Jahrhundert bis Gegenwart, Regenstauf, Germany: H. Gietl Verlag GmbH, 2006.
- [1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 81, the Max Walty-Hussy Collection: Coins and Medals, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
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