Mainz 1795-IA FS 15 ducats Fr-1683

Heritage sale 3096, lot 30256

This specimen was lot 30256 in Heritage auction 3096 (Dallas, TX, March 2021), where it sold for $300,000. The catalog description^[1] noted,

"A Unique Relic from the War of the First Coalition. German States: Mainz. Friedrich Karl Joseph von Erthal gold Medallic 15 Ducat 1795-FS/IA MS62★ Prooflike NGC. By August Friedrich Stieler. Joseph Aatz as wardein. Struck from Taler dies (cf. KM 409). Almost certainly unique and an ideal canvas in gold, the designation of Prooflike seemingly an understatement, as mirrorlike reflectivity effortlessly glides over the surfaces. Every element of the design points to a full medallic preparation; hardly a surprise given what must have been a joyful celebration at Field Marshal Count Clerfayt's relief of the city of Mainz from the French siege under Jean-Baptiste Jourdan during the War of the First Coalition. Perhaps this event even provided the occasion for this specific off-metal striking, which may have been produced as a gift for an important participant in the conflict.
Our research reveals the absence of this type from institutional and private collections that have come to auction in the last several decades-with no records whatsoever recorded by the Deutsches Münzpreis-Jahrbuch. Thus, a coin worthy of increased attention, and sure to inspire a flurry of bidding as it crosses the auction block.
A key series of conflicts during the early years of the Revolutionary French Republic, the so-called War of the First Coalition marked a turning point in the history of Western Europe. Following the events of the French Revolution during the prior several years, on 27 August 1791, the Habsburg Holy Roman Emperor Leopold II and Friedrich Wilhelm II of Prussia declared their joint support of King Louis XVI by the Declaration of Pillnitz. Fearing foreign invasion as numerous powers plotted to take portions of France, draconian measures employed within the country led to massacres and internal strife. Produced from this, in April of 1793, was the Committee of Public Safety, whose levies on potential soldiers and the declaration of war against the foreign powers united the French people and led to territorial advance beyond France. While this most significantly led to the formation of the Batavian Republic, it also saw the major French defeat at the Battle of Mainz on 29 October 1795, where the ineffectual French siege that began 11 months prior, in December 1794, was repelled thanks to the support of the Austrian troops under Count Clerfayt, likely also aided by the betrayal of French commander Jean-Charles Pichegru. Thanks to the reversal, French expansion was limited to the left bank of the Rhine, formally recognized by Prussia under the first Peace of Basel. From the Paramount Collection."

Soldiers of revolutionary France occupied Mainz in October 1792, causing the archbishop to flee. Coalition forces besieged and captured the city in July 1793 after a heavy bombardment. This thaler and other issues of 1794-95 were likely struck to celebrate the departure of the French and to reward those involved in the relief of the city. However, the city was not to keep its liberty for long; it was occupied and annexed to France in 1797 and the archepiscopal treasury looted.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 52.5 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 52.29 g.

Catalog reference: KM-Unl., Fr-1683 (Unique), Heiligenberger-Unl., von Schluthess-Rechberg Collection-Unl., Reimmann-Unl., Hoffmeister-Unl., Prinz Alexander-Unl, cf. Hennin-683 (composition and size not indicated, though likely silver), Walther Collection-Unl.

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.
Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
^[1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3096, featuring the Paramount Collection of World & Ancient Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.

Link to:

Mainz 1795-IA FS 15 ducats Fr-1683

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