Saxony 1707-ILH 1/2 ducat Fr-2783
The first specimen was lot 40132 in Ponterio sale 168 (Philadelphia, August 2012), where it sold for $4,700. The catalog description[1] noted, "GERMANY. Saxony. 1/2 Ducat, 1707-ILH. Dresden Mint. NGC MS-61. Friedrich August I (1694-1733)." The second specimen was lot 40262 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2019), where it sold for $3,840. The catalog description[2] noted, "GERMANY. Saxony. 1/2 Ducat, 1707-ILH. Dresden Mint. Friedrich August I (1694-1733). NGC MS-61. The finest graded example of this RARE type, sharply detailed with slight evidence of doubling around the obverse legends and displaying surfaces that are impressively bright with only soft forms of handling determining the grade. Struck with the titles of Friedrich August as King of Poland and as such, highly coveted by both German and Polish collectors. Struck during a turbulent period in Poland, after Charles XII of Sweden had beaten Friedrich August in numerous military conflicts, forcing him to abdicate the throne to Stanislaw Leszczynski, a Swedish ally, under the Treaty of Altranstadt (October 1706). Several years later, in 1709, Friedrich August was able to reestablish an alliance with Russia under the Treaty of Thorn, ultimately leading to Friedrich August's reinstallment as the King of Poland." This type was struck intermittently 1699-1733 and is popular and expensive. The last half ducat was struck in 1756.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 1.75 g, 0.986 fine gold, .055 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: Fr-2783; KM-714; Kopicki-11024; Kaminski-536.
- 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, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- [1]Ponterio, Richard, Ponterio sale 168: The Official ANA Auction, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2012.
- [2]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio, Matt Orsini and Cris Chatigny, The January 2019 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2018.
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