File:Frankfurt 1612 4 ducats obv H3029-30073.jpg

This specimen was lot 30073 in Heritage sale 3029 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $18,800. The catalog description^[1] noted,

"Artistic Commemorative Issue Frankfurt. Matthias gold 4 Ducats 1612, Forschner-21, J&F-309, 13.438 gm, UNC Details (Mount Removed) NGC. Obv. King enthroned with scepter and globus cruciger at center, date split 16 - 12 at top sides, below 3./13 - IV split. Rev. Busts of Justice and Peace side by side, three crowns above. A delightful commemorative issue of Matthias struck upon his ascension to Holy Roman Emperor. A member of the House of Hapsburg, Matthias held other titles such as the King of Hungary and Croatia from 1608 and King of Bohemia from 1611. This example, obviously serving as more than just a coin, has been previously used in jewelry and was likely kept as a talisman by a wealthy loyalist of the Emperor. While little can be seen of the previous mount, the surfaces were made uniformly bright during the course of its usage. Light marks also blend in the fields, but none distract the eye. As the assigned grade confirms, the detail remains essentially as-struck with impeccable precision remaining in the Emperor's clothing as well as the reverse allegories. Amazingly, essentially no strike shifting is detected, although the corresponding designs do give the impression of flan waviness. Our research confirms what our eyes initially suspected - this type in any grade is extremely rare, with a single other specimen appearing at auction in the past decade. An item that will surely be greatly anticipated. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate' Partnership of Eric P Newman / B.G. Johnson."