Sweden 1839-AG 2 ducats Fr-86
This specimen was lot 34277 in Heritage sale 3106 (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $5,040. The catalog description[1] noted, "Sweden: Carl XIV Johan gold 2 Ducat 1839-AG MS61 NGC, Stockholm mint. A type only offered once before by our firm, back in 1994, with only two known to NGC. Amber toning amplifies the aesthetic caliber of the piece, which is held back only by the lightest degree of scattered contact marks. This is a trophy for the rarities hunter." This type is listed for 1830, 1836-42 and is rare. It is accompanied by ducats (Fr-87) and quadruple ducats (Fr-85). 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.
Collecting Swedish coins is complicated by the multiple currency reforms the country underwent during the period. In 1798, 48 skilling = 1 riksdaler species and 2 riksdaler species = 1 ducat (the ducat was the same size as the coin shown here and the riksdaler species was 29.36 g, 0.878 fine silver). In 1830, 32 skilling banco = 1 riksdaler riksgald and 4 riksdaler riksgalds = 1 riksdaler species (the riksdaler species became 34 g, 0.750 fine silver). In 1855, the skilling was dropped and 100 öre = 4 riksdaler riksmynt = 1 riksdaler species (the riksdaler species remained unchanged). In 1873, the riksdaler species was dropped and 100 öre = 1 krona (the krona, at 7.5 g, 0.800 fine silver, was slightly smaller than the old riksdaler riksmynt). The system adopted in 1873 is still in use today, the Swedes having recently declined to adopt the euro.
Recorded mintage: 2,200.
Specification: 7 g, 0.986 fine gold.
Catalog reference: KM 629, Fr-86, Delzanno-10.
- 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.
- 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, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2023 January 17 - 18 NYINC World & Ancient Coins Signature Auction #3106, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2022.
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