Denmark 1768-HSK speciedaler Dav-1304
This specimen was lot 11162 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice Online Auction (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2025), where it sold for €5,760 (about US$6,004). The catalog description[1] noted, "DENMARK. Speciedaler, 1768-HSK. Rethwisch Mint. Christian VII. NGC AU-58. Slight striking weakness in the central elements with much luster remaining in the peripheral devices. Excellent for type in both condition and toning. In 1761 the small estate of Rethwisch in Schleswig-Holstein fell into the hands of the Danish king by hereditary rights on the death of Duke Friedrich Carl von Plön, and the Rethwisch Mint was in operation from 1769 to 1770. Working as a subsidiary under the Copenhagen Mint, Rethwisch produced only [a] few types in its two years of operation. This particular Speciedaler is dated 1768 but wasn't minted till 1769. There are a number of possible reasons for the Norwegian arms on the reverse: The coins were minted from Norwegian silver, the dukes Schleswig-Holstein historically held the title as heirs to Norway, and the last and most down-to-earth explanation is that Norwegian silvers coins were considered more reliable than the Danish. From the L. E. Bruun Collection." We also note some obscure Prussian coins minted at Rethwisch.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 28.84 g, 0.875 fine silver, 40.2 mm diameter, this specimen 28.77 g.
Catalog reference: KM-603; Dav-1304; H-6; Sieg-34; Schou-2; FP-R3; Bruun-10779.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, February 2025 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancients, World Coins & World Paper Money, David B. Simpson Medals & World Coins Part 1, Selections from the Richard Margolis Collection, and Selections from the L. E. Bruun Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
Links to: