Eichstatt 1596-VM 8 ducats Fr-901
This specimen was lot 30241 in Heritage auction 3096 (Dallas, TX, March 2021), where it sold for $168,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"The Only Known Example in Private Hands. German States: Eichstätt. Johann Conrad von Gemmingen gold 8 Ducat 1596-VM UNC Details (Obverse Graffiti) NGC, Nürnberg mint. Valentin Maler as mintmaster. Bishop's miter above adjacent arms of Eichstätt and Gemmingen, date between near bottom, titles of Johann Conrad surrounding / Crowned imperial eagle, titles of Rudolf II surrounding. An enormous 8 Ducat struck from the same dies as the Taler issues of that year (KM-MB33, also rare) by Valentin Maler--one of the most important medallists of the late Renaissance, well-known for his portraits of Nürnberg dignitaries, clerics, and members of the court of Saxony. Likely produced in accordance with his consecration as Prince-Bishop on 2 July 1595, as this is the only date known across all of his coinage, neither Weege, in his Deutsche Münzen 800-2000, nor the Deutsches Münzpreis-Jahrbuch record any sales for this issue, nor for any emissions of Johann Conrad for that matter. As such, this type is extraordinarily rare. In 1885, at the time of publishing his study, Die Münzen und Medaillen des ehemaligen Hochstiftes Eichstätt, Gebert knew of only a single specimen in the Vienna Coin Cabinet--fully suggesting that this present piece is the only example available to collectors, and its previous selling price of 110,000 Euros in 2003 aptly demonstrates this. Entirely uncirculated, with fully intact luster and fresh surfaces that do little to disclose their true age. As such, the overall appearance of this selection is that of a near-choice specimen. The designation of "Obverse Graffiti" likely refers to the engraved "VIII" that appears in the fields above the miter, a denotation of value that is almost certainly contemporary and may be considered relatively inconsequential. Ex. Künker Auction 80 (March 2003, Lot 2068). From the Paramount Collection."
This issue was made from thaler dies and accompanied by a 14 ducats (Fr-900) and a 6 ducats (Fr-902).
Ruling Authorities
- Johann Conrad of Gemmingen, price-bishop from 1595-1612
- Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor from 1576-1612
Obverse
- Obverse description: Arms adorned with mitre flanked by a helmet on either side, date above.
- Obverse inscription: IOHANN:CONRA= D9 D:G•EPS•EYSTET: / 1596.
- Obverse inscription unabridged: IOHANNes CONRADus Dei Gratia EPiScopus EYSTETtensis {9 = shorthand us} / 1596
- Obverse inscription translated: Johann Conrad, by the Grace of God, Bishop of Eichstätt
Reverse
- Reverse description: Crowned double headed eagle dividing engraver's initials below, name and titles of Holy Roman emperor
- Reverse inscription: RVDOLPHVS II•ROM:IMP:SEMP:AVGVST: / V. M.
- Reverse inscription unabridged: RVDOLPHVS II ROManorum IMPerator SEMPer AVGVSTus / Valentin Maler
- Reverse inscription translated: Rudolph the Second, Emperor of the Romans, Always Sublime / Valentin Maler
Edge
- Edge description: Plain.
Mint Official Marks/Initials/Names
- VM = Valentin Maler, Engraver at Nuremberg from around 1569-1603
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 28 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 27.44 g.
Catalog reference: Cahn 42e, Fr 901 (Very rare), Gebert-27f, KM MB40 (Rare).
- 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.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3096, featuring the Paramount Collection of World & Ancient Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
Link to:
- Eichstatt 1626 thaler Dav-5234
- Coins and currency dated 1596
- return to coins of German States, Eichstatt