Sweden 1838-AG 4 ducats Fr-85
This specimen was lot 23557 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $13,200. The catalog description[1] noted, "Key Date 4 Ducats with Great Beauty, SWEDEN. 4 Ducats, 1838-AG. Stockholm Mint. Carl XIV Johan. NGC MS-62. A wondrous example and a KEY DATE, boasting the lowest mintage figures for the five dates represented in the series, this alluring, nearly-Choice specimen glistens with tremendous luster and even yields a captivating frosting upon the devices. Undoubtedly a great opportunity for the advanced collector of Swedish gold issues. From the Augustana Collection." Ducats of various types were issued in Sweden throughout the nineteenth century until 1868. Collecting Swedish coins is complicated by the multiple currency reforms the country underwent during the period. This type is listed for 1837-43 and is rare. It is accompanied by ducats (KM 628a) and double ducats (KM 629). Carl was originally a general in Napoleon's army who accepted the Swedish king's invitation to marry the king's daughter and become his heir. He ruled 1818-44 and his descendants reign over Sweden today.
Recorded mintage: 625.
Specification: 13.94 g, .976 fine gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-85; KM-645.
- 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.
- Bjorne Ahlström, Yngve Almer and Bengt Hemmingson, Sveriges Mynt, 1521-1977, the Coinage of Sweden. Stockholm: Numismatika Bokförlaget AB, 1976.
- Delzanno, Roberto, Myntårsboken 2022, Sveriges Mynt 995-2021, 1:a upplagen, Stockholm, 2021.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The January 2023 NYINC Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Taraszka Collection and the Mark and Dottie Salton Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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