Mainz 1653-MF ducat Fr-1656
This specimen was lot 23645 in Heritage sale 3030 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $2,350. The catalog description[1] noted, "Mainz. Johann Philip gold Ducat 1653-MF, MS62 ANACS (green holder), exceptionally bold design features with full mint luster, a choice example of this early Ducat. Second variety with the smaller bust of Johann. From the collection of Donald E. Bently, sold for the benefit of the Bently Foundation." The SCWC lists this type for 1652-61 and notes it as fairly common tho not cheap. Johann Philipp von Schönborn (1605–1673) was a committed pluralist, being the archbishop-elector of Mainz (1647–1673), the bishop of Würzburg (1642–1673), and the bishop of Worms (1663–1673). He was a principal negotiator of the Peace of Westphalia of 1648 which ended the Thirty Years War. Altho Friedberg merges most of the ducats of this prelate into Fr-1656, the SCWC divides them as follows: KM 105 (1650-51), KM 106 (1652-53), KM 107 (1652-61), KM 116 (1663-64), KM 118 (bust right, 1667-68 and 1670).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.5 g, 0.986 fine gold, .110 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: KM 107, Slg. Walther 299, Fr-1656.
- 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, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3030, featuring the RLM Collection, the Isaac Rudman Collection, the Hans Cook Collection and the Collection of Donald E. Bently, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
Link to:
- 1650-ET ducat
- 1654-MF ducat
- Coins and currency dated 1653
- return to coins of German States, Mainz