Mainz 1760 ducat Fr-1679

Heritage sale 3029, lot 30077

This specimen was lot 30077 in Heritage sale 3029 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $5,287.50. The catalog description^[1] noted,

"Possibly a Once in a Generation Opportunity Mainz-Archbishopric. Johann Friedrich Karl von Ostein gold Ducat 1760, AU58 NGC. An even yellow-gold colored specimen with an essentially full strike that leaves boldly defined legends and central devices. Light circulation, as is suggested by the grade, is evident, but no major abrasions can be seen. A slight flan wave that runs through the bust is noted for accuracy's sake, but is common for ducats of this period. The present coin, traditionally classified as a two-year type, features the bust of Johann Friedrich Karl facing right on the obverse with dogs supporting crowned arms on the reverse. However, when observing the two dates, several design modifications can be easily distinguished. Most notably, the 1759-dated specimens have legends that entirely circle the bust, whereas the 1760-dated coin's legends stop at the bust. On the reverse, the crowned arms change presentation format with the 1759-dated arms being placed inside an oval, while the later example sets the arms on a shield. Finally, the date is found within the obverse legends on the 1759 design, while it sits in the exergue on the reverse of the 1760. For the keen numismatist, these differences are surely significant, and for a select few, will likely earn personal classification as an entirely different type. With this known, further study of rarity by date is merited. When searching for archived offerings of both dates, one thing becomes readily apparent - both dates are rare. Our research has located two examples of the 1759 date that have sold in the past 14 years. For 1760, the same search yields no finds, leaving us to conclude that it is the rarer of the two, and extremely rare overall. With the combined appeal of a modified design and extreme rarity, we believe the importance of the lot is hard to underestimate, as the opportunity to find another may not come for another generation or more. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate' Partnership of Eric P Newman/B.G. Johnson."

This type is listed for 1759-60. Like the other gold issues of this archbishopric, it is rare.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 3.5 g, 0.986 fine gold.

Catalog reference: KM 309, Fr-1679.

Source:

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.
Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
^[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.

Link to:

Mainz 1760 ducat Fr-1679

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