Schwyz 1844 ducat Fr-380
This specimen was lot 3523 in Sincona sale 70 (Zürich, May 2021), where it sold for 25,000 CHF (about US$33,180 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SWITZERLAND | Schwyz. Dukat 1844, Schwyz. Löwe mit Kantonswappen und Lorbeerzweig. Rv. Spruch mit Jahreszahl in einem Eichen- und Lorbeerkranz. Sehr selten. Nur 50 Exemplare geprägt. Vorzüglich-FDC. Überprägungsspuren. (Switzerland, canton of Schwyz, ducat of 1844, Schwyz mint. Obverse: lion with cantonal arms and laurel branch; reverse: motto and date in an oak and laurel wreath. Very rare. Only 50 pieces struck, Extremely fine-uncirculated, Signs of overstrike.)"
This may be the last ducat struck by the cantons. The Swiss confederation was reorganized in 1848 and the cantonal issues terminated. This one may have been struck as a prize in a shooting festival.
Recorded mintage: 50.
Specification: 3.49 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 3.45 g.
Catalog reference: KM 66, D.T. 80, HMZ 2-806a. Richter (Schützentaler) 91a. Fr-380.
- 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]Jürg Richter, Auction 70, Swiss Coins and Medals and Rarities in Gold, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2021.
- Divo, Jean-Paul, and Edwin Tobler, Die Münzen der Schweiz, im 19. und 20. Jahrhundert, Zürich: Bank Leu & Co AG, 1969.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- Richter, Jürg, and Ruedi Kunzmann, Neuer HMZ-Katalog, Band 2: Die Münzen der Schweiz und Liechtensteins 15//16. Jahrhundert bis Gegenwart, Regenstauf, Germany: H. Gietl Verlag GmbH, 2006.
Link to: