Hesse-Darmstadt (1750) 2 ducats Fr-1224
This specimen was lot 32033 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2025), where it sold for $8,400. The catalog description[1] noted, "Stunning Double Ducat Featuring Hunting Scenes, GERMANY. Hesse-Darmstadt. 2 Duc[a]ts, ND (ca. 1750). Ludwig VIII. PCGS AU-55. An example of the EXTREMELY RARE so-called Double "Hunting" Ducat, shows vivid hunting scenes on both obverse and reverse. Delivering only limited signs of handling, this alluring example has a strong luster, with the nice details only displaying the lightest touches of circulation. Ludwig VIII was an avid hunter, and this piece in gold suited his taste in sports, and offers the collector the chance to own a type that only appears with the greatest infrequency." This type is also known struck in silver. Its medallic nature has caused the SCWC to consign it to the Unusual World Coins. Wikipedia comments, "Because of his passion for hunting, [Ludwig] is known as the 'Hunting Landgrave' (German: Jagdlandgraf). ...Like his father, Louis was not a gifted economist and only his good relationship with Empress Maria Theresa and her intervention at the Imperial Court Council kept the Landgraviate from bankruptcy. However, his caring for his country is documented by the establishment of a textile house in 1742 and a state orphanage in the 1746."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 7 g, 0.986 fine gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-1224; KMX-6; Schütz 3129.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Unusual World Coins, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2011.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2025 NYINC Showcase Auction, featuring the Richard Margolis Collection, Part III, and the Richard August Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
Link to: