Mainz 1638-BS 2 ducat Fr-1651
This specimen was lot 30548 in Heritage sale 3029 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $1,645. The catalog description[1] noted, "Mainz. Anselm Casimir Wamboldt von Umstadt gold 2 Ducats 1638-BS, AU53 NGC. Among the more available multi-ducats of the period, this coin has a charmingly crude design. The surfaces hold few marks and little actual wear is seen on the high points. Of particular intrigue, this less than sophisticated example hints at the dramatic effect that the Thirty Years War was having on the area: The reverse die shows a fairly significant rotation from its typical alignment; the design is unpolished; and some areas show striking bluntness. Ex: 'Colonel' E.H.R. Green; Green Estate' Partnership of Eric P Newman/B.G. Johnson." Friedberg lists this type for 1638-39 and notes it as fairly common tho not cheap.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 7 g, 0.986 fine gold, .219 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: KM 71, Fr-1651.
- 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]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Stuart Levine and Bruce Lorich, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3029, featuring Selections from the Eric P. Newman Collection, Part III, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
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