Besancon 1664 2 ducats Fr-75a
This specimen was lot 1910 in Jean Elsen sale 162 (Brussels, June 2025), where it sold for €17,000 (about US$23,562 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"FRANCE, BESANÇON, Ville impériale, AV double ducat, 1664. D/ Charles Quint deb. à d., en cuirasse, ten. un sceptre et le gl. impérial. R/ Aigle impériale couronnée, avec l'écu de la ville sur la poitrine. Unique. Fines griffes et légère brisure du coin au droit. Le seul exemplaire connu. Provient de la collection A.M. Huntington et de Numismatica Genevensis, vente 7, 27 novembre 2012, 837. (France, free city of Besançon, gold double ducat of 1664. Obverse: armored figure of Charles V standing to right, holding a scepter and an orb; reverse: crowned imperial eagle supported the city arms. Unique, fine scratches and a small die break on the obverse, Extremely Fine/Uncirculated.)"
Altho today Besançon is part of France, being the chief city of the Franche-Comte, in 1642 it was part of the Holy Roman Empire. It was incorporated into France in 1678. This is listed in Friedberg as a double pistole, struck 1661, 1664 and 1666 but the weight of this example matches that of a double ducat.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: gold, this specimen 6,90 g.
Catalog reference: KM 54 (2 pistolets), Fr-75a, C.C.K. - (cfr M2/1662).
- 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.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 162: Collection Jacques Druart, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2025.
Link to:
- Besancon (1642-65) 2 ducats, for the Generals of the mint
- 1666 thaler
- 1666 3 pistoles
- Coins and currency dated 1664