Prussia 1806-A 2 friedrichs d'or Fr-2421
This specimen was lot 30321 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Chicago, August 2015), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
""GERMANY. Prussia. 2 Frederick d'Or, 1806-A. Friedrich Wilhelm III (1797-1840). NGC MS-63. Finest graded by a twenty-three point margin. An exhilarating piece to behold, possessing nearly everything a collector could possibly want in a rare coin. Struck during a particular dark year for Prussia, as Napoleon crushed the Prussian army at the Battle of Jena–Auerstedt. As a result, Frederick William III was forced to seek refuge in East Prussia while also seeking assistance from Tsar Alexander I of Russia. In addition to losing most of their Polish territories, the Prussians were forced to pay indemnities to help pay for the French troops occupying their own country. And yet, in spite of all the calamity occurring in nearly every corner of the state, this breathtaking coin somehow fell from the mint presses in Berlin that year. The state of preservation is simply mind-boggling, with nearly proof-like fields bouncing light effortlessly off the fields of the coin while frosty surfaces take up residence on all of the devices. Razor sharp details throughout, producing a masterpiece that is simply unsurpassed in beauty. For a collection of only the finest Prussian coinage available, this coin is certain to be a welcome addition."
This denomination was introduced as a double wilhelm d'or in 1737 during the reign of Friedrich Wilhelm I (r. 1713-40) but continued as a double friedrichs d'or during the rule of Frederick the Great (r. 1740-86). This type was issued 1798-1814. The denomination was retired in 1855.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 13.36 g, 0.903 fine gold, .387 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: Fr-2421; KM-381.
- 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, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, and Todd McKenna, The November 2015 Baltimore Auction, World Coins and Paper Money, featuring the Ray Czabor Collection and selections from the Strong Museum, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2015.
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