Saxony (1709) groschen

Steve Album sale 16, lot 1742

This specimen was lot 1742 in Steve Album sale 16 (Santa Rosa, CA, May 2013), where it did not sell. The catalog description^[1] noted, "SAXONY: Friedrich August I, 1694-1733, AR groschen, ND (1708-9), 'butterfly' groschen, Apollo butterfly (Parnassius Apollo) with outstretched wings on obverse, obverse field flan flaw, About EF, RRR." This undated type is one of countless scarce minors of the German states. Its unusual design has piqued collector interest and it brings substantially more than most of its brethren. The Parnassius Apollo is a real butterfly, native to mountain meadows in Europe and Asia, but looks like a conventional member of the Lepidoptera, with two pairs of wings.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: billon.

Catalog reference: KM-759, G-2125 (Poland), Kop-238.

Source:

• ^[1]Album, Stephen. Stephen Album Auction 16, Santa Rosa, CA: Stephen Album Rare Coins, 2013.
• Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.

Link to:

• (1706) gaming ducat
• 1708-ILH thaler
• 1709-ILH ⅔ thaler, monogram reverse
• 1709-ILH ⅔ thaler, arms reverse
• 1710 ¼ ducat
• Coins and currency dated 1709
• return to German States, Saxony