Erfurt 1633 2 ducats Fr-923a
This specimen was lot 52062 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2024), where it sold for $9,600. The catalog description[1] noted, "GERMANY. Erfurt. Swedish Occupation. 2 Ducats, 1633. Gustav Adolph II. NGC AU Details--Plugged. An EXTREMELY RARE Ducat from the Swedish intervention of the Thirty Years War, this example is one of only a select few known, with examples going years between trades. This example features a unique obverse design, with a flowering vine emanating from behind a skull surmounted by a snake. Despite the unfortunate plug which occurs at 12 o'clock, this Ducat retains much presentability and offers a chance at a seldom encountered type." Gustavus Adolphus was killed in battle in November 1632, aged 37 years, so this is a posthumous issue, one of many. Altho traditionally ascribed to the city of Erfurt, Swedish headquarters during the war, numismatic researchers now favor Wolgast in Pomerania as the site for many of the posthumous issues, as the king's body was prepared for transportation back to Sweden.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 7 g, 0.986 fine gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-923A (R); KM-75 (Rare); Alhstrom-8 (XR).
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2024 NYINC Auction, featuring the Emilio M Ortiz Collection and a Symphony of Russian Rarities, the Rothschild-Piatigorsky Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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