Saxony 1857-F 1/2 krone Fr-2903
This specimen was lot 32186 in Heritage sale 3081 (New York, January 2020), where it sold for $7,800. The catalog description[1] noted, "German States: Saxony. Johann gold Proof 1/2 Krone 1857-F PR65 Ultra Cameo NGC, Dresden mint, Superb and sharp, with a lovely satin frost over Johann's bust that yields a pleasing juxtaposition against the mirrored fields surrounding. A few light adjustment marks, as made, are noted on the reverse. The only example seen by NGC to-date, a clear testament to the scarcity of the issue. From the Caranett Collection." The krone was issued in Austria (KM 2253), Hannover 1857-62, Prussia 1858-70 (Fr-2437), Bavaria (Fr-280), Brunswick-Wolfenbuttel and Saxony 1857-71. Despite being minted in substantial numbers, none are common today, most likely having been melted to make ten and twenty mark after the reform of 1871. This rare type was struck 1857-58, 1862, 1866-70. Based on the gold content, this coin was worth 27/32 of a Prussian friedrichs d'or.
Recorded mintage: 4,831.
Specification: 5.55 g, 0.900 fine gold.
Catalog reference: KM 1196, Fr-2903, J-176.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- 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, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3081, featuring the Caranett Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
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