Saxe-Altenburg 1638-MR 2 ducats Fr-2905
This specimen was lot 30090 in Heritage sale 3029 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $14,100. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Possibly the Finest Known Saxe-Altenburg. Johann Philipp & Friedrich Wilhelm II gold 2 Ducats 1638-MR, Saalfeld mint, AU50 NGC. A charming type with a semi-cartoonish, yet skillfully rendered portrait of Johann Philipp facing right on the obverse with his and his brother's titles around the legends. The reverse, in typical format, holds the arms, with the date and initials of mint-master Martin Reimann (MR) divided. Incredibly rare, we have been able to locate a single other public sale for the type in the last 14 years - sold by German auctioneer Kunker in 2012 for 5,500 Euros. When comparing the condition of the two, the present coin is clearly the finer, with the strike showing much bolder throughout and leaving no areas of considerable weakness. The present coin's originality is also admirable with rich lustrous surfaces that hold vibrant orange color. Minor encrustation that haloes the devices, and is particularly noticeable within the reverse arms, ensures absolute originality. Altogether, an impressive rarity with considerable eye appeal. Very possibly the finest known. Ex: 'Colonel' E.H.R. Green; Green Estate' Partnership of Eric P Newman / B.G. Johnson."
Saxon ducats as a class are rare and this type is no exception.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 7 g, 0.986 fine gold.
Catalog reference: KM 349, Fr-2905.
- 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.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Stuart Levine and Bruce Lorich, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3029, featuring Selections from the Eric P. Newman Collection, Part III, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
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