Geneva 1770 pistole Fr-262
This specimen was lot 34436 in Heritage sale 3098 (New York, January 2022), where it sold for $5,040. The catalog description[1] noted, "Switzerland: Geneva. Canton gold Pistole 1770 MS64+ PCGS. The sole Mint State example certified by the two main grading companies. A glamorous specimen of this seldom-seen year, bearing chiseled motifs and luminous fields decorated in a flame tone." Friedberg lumps this date with the later type of 1772 even tho the reverse is very different. We concur with the SCWC, which assigns KM 77 to the earlier issue and KM 85 to the type of 1772, the last time this canton issued this denomination. The weight standard is taken from the SCWC as well but seems a little generous; we think 5.65 g (one third of the three pistoles) is more accurate.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 7.64 g, 0.900 fine gold.
Catalog reference: KM 77, Fr-262, HMZ-2-338g.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Richter, Jürg, and Ruedi Kunzmann, Neuer HMZ-Katalog, Band 2: Die Münzen der Schweiz und Liechtensteins 15//16. Jahrhundert bis Gegenwart, Regenstauf, Germany: H. Gietl Verlag GmbH, 2006.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, NYINC World Coins Signature Auction 3098, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
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