Poland 1772-AP ducat Fr-102
This specimen was lot 4408 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2022), where it sold for $14,400. The catalog description[1] noted, "POLAND. Ducat, 1772-AP. Warsaw Mint. Stanislaus Augustus. PCGS MS-61. Mintmaster's initials are those of Antonii Partenstein. Struck in the style of a Dutch Ducat. A breathtaking SCARCE year, this example is the only one to have ever been certified by either PCGS or NGC. Amazing luster remains present, though occasionally interrupted by some bag marking. Some light adjustment marks are present on the reverse. A wholesome sheen and luster bounds light of the surfaces in a magnificent display. A must have for any collection of Polish gold to be considered complete. From the Mark and Lottie Salton Collection." Friedberg lists this type for 1766-79.
Wikipedia comments,
"Stanisław II August (born Stanisław Antoni Poniatowski, 17 January 1732 – 12 February 1798), known also by his regal Latin name Stanislaus II Augustus, was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania from 1764 to 1795, and the last monarch of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Born into wealthy Polish aristocracy, Poniatowski arrived as a diplomat at the Russian imperial court in Saint Petersburg in 1755 at the age of 22 and became intimately involved with the future empress Catherine the Great. With her connivance, he was elected King of Poland by the Polish Diet in September 1764 following the death of Augustus III. Contrary to expectations, Poniatowski attempted to reform and strengthen the large but ailing Commonwealth. His efforts were met with external opposition from neighbouring Prussia, Russia and Austria, all committed to keeping the Commonwealth weak. From within he was opposed by conservative interests, which saw the reforms as a threat to their traditional liberties and privileges granted centuries earlier."
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.5 g, 0.986 fine gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-102; KM-195; H-C-5330 (R4); Kop-2509.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The 2022 NYINC Sale: World and Ancient Coins, featuring the Mark and Lottie Salton Collection and the Pat Johnson Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2021.
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