Denmark 1758-W VH 12 mark Fr-269
The first specimen was lot 2108 in Sincona sale 77 (Zürich, May 2022), where it sold for 350 CHF (about US$425 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"DENMARK, Friedrich V. 1746-1766. 12 Mark 1758, Kopenhagen. Sehr schön. Kleine Kratzer. (kingdom of Denmark, Frederick V, 1746-66, twelve mark of 1758, Copenhagen mint. Very fine, Small scratches.)"
The second specimen was lot 52138 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Pittsburgh, PA, August 2023), where it sold for $1,560. The catalog description[1] noted, "DENMARK. 12 Mark (Ducat Courant), 1758-W VH. Copenhagen Mint. Frederik V. PCGS AU-55. Sharply detailed with attractive reddish toning accents that produces excellent eye appeal." This coin, struck 1758-61, 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. Until 1813, one ducat = 2 speciedaler = 12 mark = 192 skilling Danske.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.12 g, 0.875 fine gold, .087 troy oz AGW, the first specimen 3.10 g.
Catalog reference: KM 587.3, Sieg 19. Hede 23. Fr-269.
- 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.* 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.
- 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]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 77, World Coins and Medals, Bullion Auction, Coins and Medals of Switzerland, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, August 2023 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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