Bern 1789 2 ducats Fr-171
The first specimen was lot 3658 in Sincona sale 20 (Zürich, October 2014), where it sold for CHF 4,000 (about US$5,013 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted, "[Bern.] Doppeldukat 1789. Vorzüglich-FDC. (extremely fine to uncirculated.)" The second specimen was lot 31247 in Heritage sale 3081 (New York, January 2020), where it sold for $5,040. The catalog description[2] noted, "Switzerland: Bern. City gold 2 Ducat 1789 MS61 NGC. A generally sharp example of this gold double-ducat featuring scintillating golden luster that washes over the fields with semi-prooflike reflectivity. One of only two certified by NGC to-date - a testament to the elusiveness of the issue." The climbing bear is the badge of Bern, Switzerland. This type, like all Bernese gold coins of the eighteenth century, is rare and expensive. Altho Friedberg says this issue and that of 1788 are the same type, the 1788 has a baroque cartouche and the 1789 has a simple oval.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 7 g, 0.986 fine gold, .221 troy oz AGW, the first specimen 6.84 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-171; KM-140; D.T. 482, HMZ 2-212g.
- 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, Numismatic Coins & Medals: Auction 20, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2014.
- [2]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3081, featuring the Caranett Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
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