Modena (1598-1601) ducat Fr-763
The first specimen was lot 573 in Sincona sale 46 (Zürich, May 2018), where it sold for 750 CHF (about US$900 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ITALY, Modena, Cesare d'Este, 1597-1628. Ongaro o. J. Sehr schön-vorzüglich. Überdurchschnittliche Erhaltung. (duchy of Modena, Caesar of Este, 1597-1628, undated ungaro. Very fine-extremely fine, Extraordinary condition.)"
The second specimen was lot 1667 in SINCONA Auction 97 (Zürich, May 2025), where it sold for 450 CHF (about US$653 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"ITALIEN Modena, Cesare d'Este, 1597-1628. Ongaro o. J., Modena. Dukat nach ungarischem Vorbild. Sehr schön. Gewellt und kleine Druckstellen. (Italy, duchy of Modena, Caesar of Este, 1597-1628, undated ducat of the Hungarian type, Modena mint. Very Fine, Wavy flan and crease.)"
Altho the ducat was originally invented in Italy, in the fourteenth and fifteenth century the king of Hungary minted so many that the denomination was often called an ongaro. Friedberg states that this type is known dated 1598 and 1600.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.5 g, gold, this specimen 3.48 g.
Catalog reference: MIR 672, Fr-763.
- 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]Richter, Jürg, Auction 46, Gold Coins and Medals, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2018.
- [2]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 97: World and Swiss Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
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