File:Saxony SB119-40259o.jpg

This specimen was lot 40259 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2019), where it sold for $7,800. The catalog description^[1] noted,

"GERMANY. Saxony. Ernestine Line. Double Guldengroschen, 1514. Nurnberg Mint. Friedrich III (The Wise) (1486-1525). PCGS Genuine--Edge Repaired, AU Details Gold Shield. Dav-9700; Schnee-33; Schulten-3018. By Hans Kraft after a painting by Lucas Cranach. Very high relief bearded and armored bust facing right in close-fitting cap on recessed field, cartwheel border bears four tiny shields and titles: "Duke of Saxony, Elector of the Empire, Holding the Position of General"; Reverse: Single-headed nimbate eagle, bifold shield on breast, with titles of Emperor Maximilian forming the legend. Variety with date "1514" in obverse field. Some edge repair noted. VERY RARE and possibly the first U.S. Auction offering in over a decade.

Friedrich was an able and accomplished military commander instrumental in repelling the Turks from Vienna. A friend of Philipp Melanchthon, he was among the first of the German Princes to adopt the Protestant Reformation and defend Martin Luther. This boldly crafted high-relief coin is a triumph of German Renaissance medallic sculpture. Small collector's mark below portrait. Bold portrait with attractive dark tone. From the Collection of Dr. James Eustace Bizzell, II."