Prussia 1784-A 1/2 friedrichs d'or Fr-2415
This specimen was lot 176 in Sincona sale 46 (Zürich, May 2018), where it sold for 1,300 CHF (about US$1,560 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Brandenburg/Prussia, Friedrich II. 1740-1786. 1/2 Friedrichs dor 1784 A, Berlin. Greisenantlitz. Nackte Büste mit Lorbeerkranz nach rechts. Rv. Gekrönter Adler auf Fahnen und Waffen, darüber die Jahreszahl 1784, im Abschnitt Münzzeichen A. Selten. Sehr schön. (Germany, kingdom of Prussia, Frederick II, 1740-86, half frederick d'or of 1784, Berlin mint, old bust. Obverse: bare, laureate bust to right; reverse: crowned eagle rising over piled arms, mintmark dividing date below. Rare, Very fine.)"
This type was struck in Berlin (shown here) in 1784 and 1786 and in Breslau (Fr-2416) 1776-77. It traded for 2½ thalers. Double friedrichs d'or (Fr-2410) also exist. 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. Having established Prussia as a major power, he eschewed further wars of aggression.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.34 g, 0.903 fine gold, this specimen 3.30 g.
Catalog reference: Olding 437, Kluge 117.1, Fr-2415, KM 340.
- 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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