Denmark 1757-VH 12 mark Fr-278
This specimen was lot 1108 in Sincona sale 38 (Zürich, May 2017), where it sold for 1,000 CHF (about US$1,199 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Friedrich V. 1746-1766 12 Mark 1757. Kopenhagen. Vorzüglich-FDC. Kleine Kratzer. (kingdom of Denmark, Frederick V, 1746-66, twelve mark of 1757, Copenhagen mint, Extremely fine-uncirculated, Minor scratches.)"
This coin walks and talks like a ducat but it is too light and too low in fineness to qualify. It was actually a twelve mark altho the government called them "ducats courant" in the hopes that merchants would accept them as full ducats. It is unlikely anyone was fooled for long. Ducats courant with the bust of the king (Fr-262) also exist for 1757. Until 1813, one ducat = 2 speciedaler = 12 mark = 192 skilling Danske.
Recorded mintage: unknown but scarce.
Specification: 3.12 g, 0.875 fine gold, .087 troy oz AGW, 3.09 g.
Catalog reference: Hede 24A, Fr-278, KM 586.1.
- 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.
- Siegs Møntcatalog 2016: Danmark med Omrader, 48 ed., Frederikssund, Siegs Forlag ApS, 2015.* [1]Jürg Richter, Auction 38, Gold Coins and Medals, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2017.
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