Silesia-Liegnitz-Brieg 1666-CBS 5 ducats Fr-3210
This specimen was lot 21251 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Las Vegas, August 2020), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Extreme Rarity Multiple Ducat. GERMANY. Silesia-Liegnitz-Brieg. 5 Ducats, 1666 CBS. Brieg Mint, Mint Master Christoph Bretschneider. Christian. NGC AU Details--Mount Removed. An EXTREMELY RARE two-year type that seldom appears on the market. Tall armored bust right with long locks, Silesia and Liegnitz titles; Reverse: Silesian eagle with crescent on its breast, "BREGENSIS. E. WOLAVIENSIS", date, CBS appears in an oval below the tail. A well struck survivor on a broad flan with wear consistent for the grade and intricate design features that are bold and clear. Evidence of mount removal as indicated on the NGC insert done expertly and hardly distracting. Despite its shortcomings a wholesome and attractive example sure to add depth to the next collection it enters.
This coinage dates to the golden age of Silesian independence under scions of the ancient Polish dynasty of Piast. The Duchy ultimately fell to the Habsburgs and was seized by Friedrich the Great of Prussia and held in the teeth of his enemies in repeated conflicts which devastated the region. Ex: Stack's Auction January 14, 2008, Lot # 2779."
Silesia is considered a German State even tho the province was then under Austrian rule and is now in Poland. The SCWC lists only 1672 for this type, which was accompanied by Fr-3209 (10 ducat), Fr-3211 (3 ducat), Fr-3212 (double ducat) and Fr-3213 (single ducat). This example was offered again as lot 40392 in Stack's Bowers 2021 ANA sale, where it sold for $25,200.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 17.5 g, 0.986 fine gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-3210; KM-508.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Richard Ponterio and Kyle Ponterio, The August 2020 ANA Auction: World Coins, featuring the Duke of Lansing Collection, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2020.
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