File:Basel c1680 2 ducats obv H3029-30294.jpg

This specimen was lot 30294 in Heritage sale 3029 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $10,575. The catalog description^[1] noted, "A Late Baroque Masterpiece Basel. City gold 2 Ducats ND (1680-1700), KM-unlisted, Fr-85, MS62 NGC. This impressively designed issue has the obverse intricately depicting an elevated view of the city, with the iconic arms of Basel in the radiant clouds above. The imagery on the reverse depicts the popular narrative of the birth of Christ - with three gift-bearing magi greeting the newborn Jesus. It is from this depiction that the present type has been named the Christmas ducat. And a finer one, one will likely not find. The surfaces maintain fully reflective flash in the fields, and soft blushes of tone add to the character. The strike is also remarkably rendered. This coin has great eye appeal. Ex: 'Colonel' E.H.R. Green; Green Estate' Partnership of Eric P Newman / B.G. Johnson."