Transylvania (1609-12)-CV ducat Fr-336
This specimen was lot 30299 in Heritage sale 3029 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $9,400. The catalog description[1] noted, "High-Quality Classic Transylvanian Type Gabriel Bathori gold Ducat ND (1609-12)-CV, MS62 NGC. Minted at Klausenburg. Obv. 1/2 length bust of Bathori facing right with scepter in right hand. Rev. Crowned arms of Bathori with serpent encircling. A delightfully rendered example of this multi-year ducat with thick luster throughout: The near-complete strike reveals only minor bluntness within a minuscule portion on the reverse. Close inspection reveals a natural undulation of the flan and surfaces that are incredibly choice for the assigned grade. The golden tone is impressive. While this type, because of its extended issuance, is among the most frequently encountered during the Bathori reign, the present example must be considered anything but common as the combination of attributes surely places it among the finest known of the type. Ex: 'Colonel' E.H.R. Green; Green Estate' Partnership of Eric P Newman / B.G. Johnson." The princes of Transylvania were sandwiched between the Ottoman Empire to the south and the Hapsburg dominions to the west and attempted to maintain independence from both. The Hapsburgs reconquered Hungary from the Turks in the 1680's and ended Transylvanian autonomy. This type is listed for 1609-12.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.5 g, 0.986 fine gold, .110 troy oz AGW.
Catalog reference: KM 62, Fr-336.
- 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.
- Adolf Resch, Siebenburgische Münzen und Medaillen von 1538 bis Gegenwart. Hermannstadt, 1901 (reprinted in Montreal, 1965).
- [1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Stuart Levine and Bruce Lorich, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3029, featuring Selections from the Eric P. Newman Collection, Part III, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
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