Norway 1673 2 ducats Fr-12d
This specimen was lot 30173 in Heritage sale 3107 (Chicago, May 2023), where it sold for $33,600. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Norway. Spectacular Norwegian Trade Coin of Christian V. Christian V gold 2 Ducats 1673 AU55 NGC. A very rare trade coinage representative from King Christian V, who ruled over Denmark and Norway from 1670 to 1699. This attractive treasure is bathed in sunny golden resplendence and despite admitting slight softness in strike on the obverse, remains an undeniably handsome specimen with firmly produced motifs on the reverse. We note an uncertified, described as 'almost uncirculated' piece of seemingly lesser visual appeal was sold in May 2022 for approximately $68,500, whereas Friedberg makes reference to another piece - that the current cataloger has not sighted - which was sold in 2007 for approximately $27,000. The first occurrence of this type we have had the pleasure of handling, and we anticipate fervent bidding activity from discerning collectors. Brekke asserts that "numismatically, the period of Christian V was the culmination of the Danish-Norwegian series", further adding that the unparalleled variety adds to the intrigue of his coinage and has been targeted by several of the greatest specialized collections. The current offering was minted early in his reign, before the rather disastrous Scanian War damaged the state coffers and marred the King's popularity among his people."
The SCWC lists the following double ducats for 1673: KM 119, KM 121, KM 122, KM 123 (shown here), Pn20 (struck in silver) and Pn21 (struck in silver).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.98 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen is 6.99 g.
Catalog reference: KM 123, Fr-12d.
- Aamlid, J. O., B. Ahlström, K Jonsson and G. Thesen, Norges Mynter fra 995-1992, Stockholm: Numismatika Bokförlaget AB, 1991.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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.
- Siegs Møntcatalog 2016: Danmark med Omrader, 48 ed., Frederikssund, Siegs Forlag ApS, 2015.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2023 May 3 - 5 CSNS World Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction #3107, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2023.
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