Mecklenburg-Schwerin 1701 ducat Fr-1715
This specimen was lot 2488 in Sincona Auction 101 (Zürich, October 2025), where it sold for 4,000 CHF (about US$6,029 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"DEUTSCHLAND Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Herzogtum, ab 1815 Grossherzogtum, Friedrich Wilhelm, 1692-1713. Dukat 1701, Schwerin. Selten. Feine Goldpatina. (Germany, duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Frederick William, 1692-1713, ducat of 1701, Schwerin mint. Rare. NGC AU58, Nice gold toning.)"
The SCWC divides this rare issue into KM 151 ("QUO DEUS ET...") and KM 152 ("QVO DEVS ET..."); the latter is shown here. Wikipedia comments,
"In June 1692, when Christian Louis I died in exile and without sons, a dispute arose about the succession to his duchy between his brother, Adolphus Frederick II, and his nephew, Frederick William. The emperor and the rulers of Sweden and of the Electorate of Brandenburg took part in this struggle, which was intensified...when...the family ruling over Mecklenburg-Güstrow became extinct. In 1701...Mecklenburg was divided between the two claimants. The Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin was given to Frederick William, and the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, roughly a recreation of the medieval Stargard lordship, to Adolphus Frederick II. At the same time, the principle of primogeniture was reasserted, and the right of summoning the joint Landtag was reserved to the ruler of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. Continued conflicts and partitions weakened the rule of the dukes and affirmed the reputation of Mecklenburg as one of the most backward territories of the Empire."
Recorded mintage: 3,645.
Specification: 3.49 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 3.46 g.
Catalog reference: KM 152, Kunzel 274 A7a. Fr-1715.
- 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]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 101: World Coins, Medals and Banknotes, Swiss Confederate Coins, Medals and Banknotes, Shooting Coins and Medals, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
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