Schleswig-Holstein 1795-MF 60 schilling Dav-1311
This specimen was lot 1960 in Jean Elsen sale 158 (Brussels, March 2024), where it sold for €260 (about US$338 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"DANEMARK, SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN, Christian VII (1766-1808), AR Speciedaler (60 Schilling), 1795 B-MF, Altona. D/ T. à d. R/ Ecu ovale couronné, entre 1.-SP. Très Beau. (Denmark, duchy of Schleswig-Holstein, Christian VII, 1766-1808, silver specie daler or sixty schilling of 1795, Altona mint. Obverse: head right; reverse: crowned oval arms divides the value. Very Fine.)"
This thaler was struck 1787-96, 1799-04, 1807-08 by the king of Denmark in his capacity as duke of Schleswig-Holstein. A very similar design was used for an 1801 speciedaler in Denmark (Dav-1313) but is much rarer. Post-1800 issues of this type are catalogued as Dav-70. The initials MF stood for Michael Flor, mintmaster at Altona 1787-1818. Christian VII was insane for most of his reign and the government was in the hands of regents, including his stepmother and later his son. The court was the scene of violent power struggles over who would have access to the incapable king. Schleswig was Danish-speaking while Holstein was German; the conflicts arising therefrom led to the whole region being conquered and annexed by Prussia in the 1860's.
Reported Mintage: 1,774,000, a common date.
Specification: 28.89 g, 0.875 fine silver; this specimen 28,88 g.
Catalog reference: KM 138.1, Hede 39A; Dav-1311.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Siegs Møntcatalog 2016: Danmark med Omrader, 48 ed., Frederikssund, Siegs Forlag ApS, 2015.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 158, Monnaies de la Principauté de Liège, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2024.
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