Sweden 1850-AG ducat Fr-90a
This specimen was lot 34282 in Heritage sale 3106 (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $1,620. The catalog description[1] noted, "Sweden: Oscar I gold Ducat 1850-AG MS63 NGC. A radiant Choice example with glassy reflective surfaces." This type was struck 1845-59 and is the first Swedish ducat that can be called fairly common.
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: 20,000, a scarce date.
Specification: 3.49 g, 0.976 fine gold.
Catalog reference: KM 668, Fr-90a.
- 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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