Lithuania 1622 10 ducats Fr-4
This specimen was lot 24011 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $264,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Expressive and Charming Polish-Lithuanian 10 Ducats, POLAND. Lithuania. 10 Ducats, 1622. Vilnius Mint. Sigismund III. PCGS Genuine--Damage, AU Details. Obverse: Crowned and enrobed bust of Sigismund III right; Reverse: Crowned coat-of-arms of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. A quite pleasing Vilnius 10 Ducats, a type which it almost goes without mentioning is of the highest RARITY. Being of this weight, this denomination was likely produced in extremely limited quantity, with fewer still surviving to the present. This example retains much in the way of merit, despite the notation of damage by PCGS. This notation arises either from the old collector punch to the left of the bust, or some scratches in the soft gold on the reverse. Sporting nearly the entire original design, the light rub that is present on the surfaces is limited to the highest elements on both obverse and reverse. A true treasure of Polish numismatics, and a piece that would make a meritorious addition to any advanced cabinet of holdings. From the Anthony J. Taraszka Collection. Ex: Bowers and Merena (03/1988) Lot #457."
Like other large multiple ducats, this would have been strictly a vanity piece for the king to pass around to his cronies. A five ducats also exists (Fr-6).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 35 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 34.73 g.
Catalog reference: KM 29, Fr-4; H-Cz-5793 (R7); Kop-3576 (R8); Kur-2197 (R8); Gum-1433.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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, The January 2023 NYINC Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Taraszka Collection and the Mark and Dottie Salton Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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