Mainz 1654-MF ducat Fr-1656
This specimen was lot 4401 in Sincona sale 4 (Zürich, October 2011) where it sold for 440 CHF (about US$585 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"DEUTSCHLAND Mainz, Erzbistum Johann Philipp von Schönborn, 1647-1673. Dukat 1654. Brustbild nach links. Rv. Wappen auf mit Fürstenhut gekrönter Wappenkartusche. Gutes sehr schön-sehr schön. (Archbishopric of Mainz, John Philip of Schonborn, 1647-73, ducat of 1654. Obverse: bust to right, reverse: arms crowned with archiepistolic hat. Very fine to good very fine)."
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, this specimen 3,43 g.
Catalog reference: KM 107, Slg. Walther 299, Fr-1656.
- 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]Numismatic Coins, Medals & Banknotes: Auction 4, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2011.
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