Lubeck 1660 2 ducats Fr-1485
This specimen was lot 1391 in Jean Elsen sale 151 (Brussels, June 2022), where it sold for €3,200 (about US$3,998 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ALLEMAGNE, LÜBECK, Ville libre, AV double ducat, 1660. D/ L'empereur deb. à d., en cuirasse, ten. un sceptre sur l'épaule et un gl. cr. R/ Aigle impériale éployée. En dessous, l'écu du bourgmestre Christoph Gerdes. Extrêmement rare Flan bosselé. Très Beau. (Germany, free city of Lubeck, gold double ducat of 1660. Obverse: the emperor standing right, armored, holding a scepter and orb; reverse: imperial eagle displayed, the arms of the burgomeister below. Extremely rare, wavy flan, Very Fine.)"
This type is listed in the SCWC for 1656-1716. As the city of Lubeck was a republic, not a monarchy, there was no need to periodically update the ruler's portrait. The standing knight design is strongly reminiscent of Dutch ducats of the same period.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.98 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen is 6,90 g.
Catalog reference: KM 89, Behrens 648b; Fr-1485.
- 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.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 151: Collection Paul Witte, Monnaies de Brabant, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2022.
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