Saxony 1611 10 ducats Fr-2648
This specimen was lot 30269 in Heritage auction 3096 (Dallas, TX, March 2021), where it sold for $288,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Utterly Stunning 10 Ducat Struck on the Death of Christian II. German States: Saxony. Christian II gold Medallic "Death" 10 Ducat 1611 MS65★ NGC. Struck from Taler dies (cf. Schnee-779). An exacting type that more than earns its Gem Mint State "star" designation. Truly medallic in nature, the high-relief designs are beautifully set against watery harvest-gold surfaces. The offering features one of the most contested obverse designs of the German series, with the Prince-Elector featured in a half-length, armored style aside his helmet. Although Merseburger, Dassdorf, and Wilmersdörffer all contained an example of this "death" commemorative in silver (referenced as a medal), we have only been able to locate two occurrences of the issue in this gold 10 Ducat-weight at auction: one in the above-mentioned Vogel sale (Adolph Hess October 1928), and the other recorded by Schnee in Münzen & Medaillen AG Basel's Auction 7 (June 1977, Lot 130), with no additional sales records in the ensuing 40+ years, according to our research. With hardly a trace of handling observed over the surfaces, it seems likely that this commendable representative was carefully stored away not long after it was first struck. Truly a fitting final testament to Christian II's reign, and worthy of a premium bid.. From the Paramount Collection."
While this issue is unlisted in the SCWC, we note also a 14 ducats and 8 ducats along with several thalers.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 35 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 34.22 g.
Catalog reference: KM -Unl., Fr-2648 (Very Rare; this coin), Merseburger-Unl., Dassdorf-Unl., Wilmersdörffer-Unl., Vogel Collection-6741, Schnee-779, cf. Baumgarten-153 (Very Rare; recorded as 7-5/8 Ducat-weight).
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Craig, William D., Germanic Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II, Mountain View, CA: 1954.
- 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]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3096, featuring the Paramount Collection of World & Ancient Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
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