Hesse-Cassel (1670-1730) 2 ducats
The first specimen was lot 678 in Stack's "Vermuele, Ward & Mexico Maxico" sale (New York, January 2010), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "GERMAN STATES. HESSEN-CASSEL. Karl I, 1670-1730. 2 Ducats, n.d. Large bare head r. with flowing locks, surrounded by the simple title CAR. D.G. HASS. LAND. Rv. 7-fold crowned Arms of the Landgraviate, wholly anepigraphic. This high-denomination coin was boldly designed and forcefully struck. A glass finds a tiny dig in the upper right field. Gleaming lustre provides the bold flash in the smooth fields, highlighting the splendidly struck reliefs for undeniable visual appeal. About Uncirculated."
The second specimen was lot 2444 in Sincona sale 20 (Zürich, October 2014), where it did not sell. The catalog description[2] noted, "Doppeldukat o. J. Kassel. Selten. Vorzüglich. (undated double ducat, Kassel mint. rare, extremely fine.)"
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 7 g, 0.986 fine gold, .220 troy oz AGW, the second specimen 6.92 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-1276, Schütz 1498, KM unlisted.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- 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]Kraljevich, John, and Frank Van Valen, The Vermuele, Ward & Mexico Maxico Collections, New York: Stack's, 2009.
- [2]Richter, Jürg, Numismatic Coins & Medals: Auction 20, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2014.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
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