Bern (1750) 6 ducats Fr-156
This specimen was lot 30454 in Heritage auction 3096 (Dallas, TX, March 2021), where it sold for $66,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Rare and Unlisted Bern 6 Ducat. Switzerland: Bern. City gold 6 Ducat ND (c. 1750) MS63+ Prooflike NGC. A very rare type that appears unlisted in most major references consulted. Though the holder insert refers to Fr-151, this is actually the "with supporters" type, and the supporter-less wreath and shield design appears only in a 5 Ducat weight in that reference. This also holds true for both the Standard Catalog of World Coins and Divo, the latter of which notes that the lower-weight 5 Ducat is very rare. This unlisted issue, then, is likely even scarcer. As the design of the type is commonly dated to either "18th century" or ND (1750) it seems more probable that the type was produced in the mid-1700s, as opposed to the date range of 1700-1710 listed on the insert. Utterly sharp design motifs establish a stellar degree of visual appeal, with well-defined, raised rims bordering the edges, and a delightful intense golden luster carrying Prooflike reflectivity that further enhances the presentation. A true collector's coin, and certainly one for which another chance at ownership seems highly unlikely. Ex. Leu Numismatik Auction 88 (October 2003, Lot 1963). From the Paramount Collection."
The SCWC also mentions KM 113 (6 ducats), KM 112/114 (7 ducat), KM 111 (5 ducat) and KM 105/106/109 (4 ducat).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 21 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 20.71 g.
Catalog reference: cf. KM 111.1 (there, as 5 Ducat), cf. Fr-156 (same), HMZ-2-207b, cf. Divo-469a (same), Haller-II-951, Wunderly-1054.
- 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]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.
Link to: