Poland 1671-MH ducat
This specimen was lot 24020 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $144,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Incredibly Elusive Michal Korybut Ducat, POLAND. Ducat, 1671-M H. Michal Korybut. PCGS AU-58. Obverse: Laureate and robed bust of Michal Korybut right; Reverse: Crowned coat-of-arms of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Hitherto unavailable to even the most persistent and deep-pocketed of collectors, Ducats from Michal Korybut's reign outstrip all other monarchs on a comparative RARITY scale. The brevity of Michal's reign, along with his lack of success, compared with his predecessor and successor, ensured the elusiveness of his Ducats almost from the time they were struck. Escaping some of the most famous 19th Century collections, we have not been able to log a single sale of a Korybut crown Ducat. Consequently, this lot must be treated as a once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire a specimen, with this piece likely to disappear into a numismatic cabinet for a generation to come.
Displaying a soft golden hue, this Ducat retains nearly all the original appeal and charm as it did the day it left the dies. The strike is comprehensive, though not entirely full, with only the slightest brushes of wear being seen. A touch of bend is seen in the planchet, though nothing incongruous with many hammered gold coins of the time. Beautiful luster shines especially through in the protected areas, with very little marking or friction seen. An offering that should make any Polish coin collector giddy in the heart. From the Anthony J. Taraszka Collection. Ex: Hohn Leipzig 22 (12/1999) Lot #172."
The only ducat listed in Friedberg for this ruler is Fr-32, which has the Danzig arms on the reverse.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.5 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 3.45 g.
Catalog reference: KM 124, Fr-Unlisted; H-Cz-Unlisted; Kop-1929 (R8); Kur-1131 (R8); Gum-1954.
- 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.
- [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.
Link to:
- Danzig 1670-DL ducat Fr-32 Michael Korybut
- Danzig 1673-DL ducat Fr-32 Michael Korybut
- Coins and currency dated 1671