Magdeburg (1612-19) goldgulden Fr-1542
This specimen was lot 31443 in Heritage sale 3107 (Chicago, May 2023), where it sold for $4,080. The catalog description[1] noted,
"German States. Magdeburg. Matthias gold Goldgulden ND (1612-1619) UNC Details (Cleaned) NGC. An incredibly rare piece of Magdeburg gold trade coinage, we haven't been able to locate a single example of this type to come up at auction in recent history. This dandelion yellow offering also displays orange undertones throughout. The strikes shows some areas of softness but overall the design has solid definition. The cleaning notation is only evidenced by scattered light hairlines that are only noticeable upon magnification. This wonder presents a very intriguing opportunity for the German States gold connoisseur."
This rare coin did not realize its catalog value in the SCWC. By the second half of the sixteenth century, the archbishopric of Magdeburg was completely converted to Lutheranism yet the ecclesiastical state was not abolished. Instead, it became a puppet state of the elector of Brandenburg, who either appointed himself or one of his close relatives archbishop. Brandenburg annexed it outright in 1680. Magdeburg was sacked and destroyed by imperial troops in 1631.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.25 g, 0.917 fine gold.
Catalog reference: KM 220, Fr-1542.
- 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]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2023 May 3 - 5 CSNS World Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction #3107, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2023.
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