Denmark 1792 ducat specie Fr-283
This specimen was lot 25021 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $2,400. The catalog description[1] noted, "DENMARK. Ducat, 1792. Copenhagen or Altona Mint. Christian VII. PCGS AU-58. The only example of the type seen in the PCGS census, this near-Mint dazzler offers an ample array of remaining brilliance as well as a delightful golden-orange nature to the color and an impressive wildman depiction on the obverse. From the Robert C. Knepper Collection." Danish currency endured several "reforms" in the nineteenth century. Until 1813, 1 ducat = 2 speciedaler = 12 mark = 192 skilling Danske. After the reform of 1813, 1 frederiks d'or = 5 speciedaler = 10 rigsbankdaler = 960 rigsbankskilling. In 1854, the speciedaler was dropped but the remaining denominations were unchanged. In 1874, all the old denominations were terminated in favor of 1 krone = 100 øre, which system is still in use, tho the krone is no longer silver. This type was struck 1791-1794 and 1802 but is rare. Christian VII was insane for most of his reign and the government was in the hands of regents, including his stepmother and later his son. The court was the scene of violent power struggles over who would have access to the incapable king.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.49 g, 0.979 fine gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-283; KM-650.
- 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.* Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The January 2023 NYINC Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Taraszka Collection and the Mark and Dottie Salton Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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