Speyer 1726 ducat Fr-3308
This specimen was lot 1103 in Sincona sale 90 (Zürich, May 2024), where it sold for 7,500 CHF (about US$9,911 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"DEUTSCHLAND Speyer, Bistum, Damian Hugo von Schönborn, 1719-1743, seit 1716 Koadjutor. Dukat 1726. Auf die Erbauung des Schlosses von Bruchsal. Sehr selten. NGC MS62 PL. Prachtexemplar. (Germany, bishopric of Speyer, Damian Hugo of Schonborn, 1719-43, coadjutor since 1716, ducat of 1726, on the opening of the palace of Bruchsal. Very rare, Cabinet piece.)"
Damian Hugo was bishop of Speyer 1719-43 and bishop of Constance 1740-43. Bruchsal, now in Baden, is famous for asparagus. The palace was destroyed by an Allied air raid in March 1945. We don't know why INDESALUS ("Desire") is engraved in mirror writing on the obverse.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.49 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 3.41 g.
Catalog reference: KM 57, Ehrend 7/19, Fr-3308.
- 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]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 90, Münzen und Medaillen der Welt, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
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