Prussia 1772-A friedrichs d'or Fr-2406
This specimen was lot 152 in Sincona sale 46 (Zürich, May 2018), where it sold for 2,500 CHF (about US$3,000 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Brandenburg/Prussia, Friedrich II. 1740-1786. Friedrichs dor 1772 A, Berlin. Nackte Büste mit Lorbeerkranz nach rechts. Rv. Gekrönter Adler auf Fahnen und Waffen, darüber die Jahreszahl 1772, im Abschnitt Münzzeichen A. Seltener Jahrgang. Sehr schön-vorzüglich. Attraktives Exemplar. (Germany, kingdom of Prussia, Frederick II, 1740-86, frederick d'or of 1772, Berlin mint. Obverse: bare, laureate bust to right; reverse: crowned eagle rising over piled arms, mintmark dividing date below. Rare date, Very fine-extremely fine, Attractive piece.)"
This type was struck in Berlin (shown here) and in Breslau (Fr-2407) 1764-75. It traded for five thalers. Frederick the Great emerged victorious from the Seven Years War but it was a very near thing, with only the death of the empress Elizabeth in 1761 saving Prussia from utter destruction.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 6.65 g, 0.903 fine gold, this specimen 6.64 g.
Catalog reference: Olding 434. Kluge 111.9. Fr-2406, KM 309.
- 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.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
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