Poland (15)85 ducat
This specimen was lot 24005 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $168,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Rare Ducat From the Royal Prussian City of Malbork, Unknown to Hutten-Czapski and Called Unique by Kurpiewski, POLAND. Royal Prussia. Ducat, (15)85. Malbork Mint. Stephan Bathori. PCGS AU-50. Obverse: Crowned and robed bust right; Reverse: Crowned coat-of-arms. Of all the RARITIES offered in the Anthony J. Taraszka Collection, this Ducat from Malbork may stand in a class of its own. Kurpiewski notes that this coin is likely unique, though subsequent research from Dutkowski casts a touch of doubt on that conclusion, with a few other examples potentially known, with one likely permanently impounded in the Hermitage. Whatever the case, this example escaped many of the major Polish collections, notably being absent from the collection of Hutten-Czapski.
Originating from the Malbork Mint in Royal Prussia, perhaps the most elusive of Polish mints to acquire coinage from. Malbork is situated in the area historically known as Royal Prussia, a province of the Kingdom of Poland that was established out of the State of the Teutonic Order after the Second Peace of Thorn in 1466. Royal Prussia retained autonomy within the Kingdom of Poland for over a century, keeping a separate parliament and hosting a large population of native German speakers. This autonomy was annulled by the incorporation of Royal Prussia into Poland in 1569, an event taking place a mere sixteen years prior to the striking of this Ducat. Stephan Bathori was the second monarch to preside over the incorporated Royal Prussia, and this Ducat was struck at the Royal Castle of Malbork, one of the official residencies of the Royal Family. Such a Ducat with a Polish monarch featured would have had much symbolic value, signifying the new governance in Royal Prussia.
A touch of circulation is noticed, though this wear is confined to the highest portions of the design elements. Most of the details, even the finely grained ones, remain, testifying to the attractive nature of this Ducat. Some shimmering glossy brilliance is also noticed, with this trait showing most forcefully in the open fields around the bust. For those collectors of Polish coins looking for the pinnacle of RARITY and desirability, this lot offers that chance, presenting a coin unknown to even Emeric Hutten-Czapski. A Ducat that is an absolute treat to offer, and one deserving of the most passionate bidding. From the Anthony J. Taraszka Collection."
Ducats were also struck for Stephan Bathori at Vilnius, Danzig and Riga.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.5 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 3.53 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-Unlisted; H-Cz-Unlisted; Kop-3110 (R8); Kur-341 (R8); Gum-837.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The January 2023 NYINC Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Taraszka Collection and the Mark and Dottie Salton Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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