Basel (1780) ducat Fr-48
This specimen was lot 3047 in SINCONA Auction 97 (Zürich, May 2025), where it sold for 1,600 CHF (about US$ including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Basel, Stadt und Kanton, Dukat o. J. (um 1775), Basel. Ovales Wappen ohne Punkte. Sehr schön-vorzüglich. Prägeschwäche am Rand. (Switzerland, city and canton of Basel, undated ducat, circa 1775, Basel mint, oval arms without dot. Very Fine-Extremely Fine, Weak strike on edge.)"
There are several confusingly similar undated ducats from Basel in the late eighteenth century and even the major auction houses misattribute them. This one, with the reverse legend "DUCAT· REIPUBL: BASILEEN/SIS", is usually attributed to 1780 and comes with a baroque shield (Fr-48) or an oval shield (Fr-48a, shown here). It is often confused with Fr-45, which has the same basilisk on the obverse but the reverse legend "DUCATUS· NOVUS· REIPUBL: BASILE/ENSIS*". Both are rare and expensive. This is the last ducat issued by the city.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.49 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 3.41 g.
Catalog reference: KM 177 var., Fr-48, HMZ-2-94a.
- [1]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 97: World and Swiss Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
- 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.
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