Danzig 1634 1-1/2 ducat Fr-14
This specimen was lot 4397 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2022), where it sold for $102,000. The catalog description[1] noted, "Potentially Unique 1634 1-1/2 Ducats Issue, POLAND. Danzig. 1-1/2 Ducats, 1634. Wladislaus IV Vasa. PCGS AU-55. Mintmaster's initials are those of Stanislaus Bermann. This EXCESSIVELY RARE 1-1/2 Ducat issue from Danzig is a one of the most unique issues of Polish gold produced. Struck in an a fractional weight, Dutkowski calls these issues 'donative' suggesting they were likely struck as favors or gifts. Such examples are extremely rare, and no other examples from Wladislaw IV's reign have sold at public auction recently. This example is of unknown pedigree beyond Salton, and the thrill of the chase to hunt this information down adds to the appeal. This piece is well struck and only bears light evidence of handling. No waviness in the planchet and no distracting marks, collection or otherwise. A nice sheen and luster remains present. Being quite possibly UNIQUE, this example will entrance the die hard Polish collectors. From the Mark and Lottie Salton Collection." Friedberg also notes this type for 1647.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 5.25 g, 0.986 fine gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-14; KM-Unlisted; H-C-Unlisted; Kop-Unlisted; Dutkowski-255; Kam-224; Mathy-2399 (RRR).
- 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.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The 2022 NYINC Sale: World and Ancient Coins, featuring the Mark and Lottie Salton Collection and the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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