Mainz 1696 ducat Fr-1668
This specimen was lot 350 in UBS sale 85 (Zürich, September 2010), where it sold for 1200 CHF (about US$1,369 including buyer's fee). The catalog description[1] noted,
"DEUTSCHLAND, Mainz, Erzbistum, Lothar Franz von Schönborn, 1695-1729. Dukat 1696. Auf den Frieden von Rijswick. Wappen auf gekröntem Wappenmantel, unten die geteilte Jahreszahl. Rv. Altar mit brennenden Wappen, zu den Seiten die Wertangabe. Hksp. Vorzüglich." (Archbishopric of Mainz, Lothar Franz of Schönborn, 1695-1729, 1696 ducat on the Peace of Ryswick. Mantled arms, date below. Reverse: altar with swords burning. Extremely Fine)
The Archbishopric of Mainz, sited on the Rhine, was the scene of heavy fighting between French and imperial troops in the 1690's and so the archbishop was extra pleased to issue this commemorative celebrating the peace which, alas, was all too brief. Fighting broke out again in 1701 with the War of the Spanish Succession. Lothar Francis was also bishop of Bamberg 1693-1729 and issued coins there as well.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.49 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 3,44 g.
Catalog reference: Slg. Walther 483, Fr-1668, KM 221.
- 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.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- [1]UBS Auction 85: Gold and Silver Coins, Zürich: UBS AG, 2010.
Link to:
- 1695 3 kreuzer, on the death of Anselm Francis
- 1695 1/8 thaler, on the coronation of Lothar Franz von Schönborn
- 1695-CB 60 kreuzer
- 1695-CB thaler
- 1695-AK double thaler
- (1696)-GFN ducat, on the Peace of Rijswijk
- 1696 ducat, on the Peace of Rijswijk
- Bern 1697 ducat Fr-139
- Coins and currency dated 1696
- return to coins of German States, Mainz