Transylvania 1540-FG goldgulden Fr-42
The first specimen was lot 32397 in Heritage sale 3067 (Long Beach, September 2018), where it sold for $1,920. The catalog description[1] noted, "Transylvania: John Zapolya gold Ducat 1540-FG MS60 ANACS, Klausenburg mint. A sunny example with somewhat subdued surfaces, which nonetheless charms by its great detail and preservation. A perfect piece for the Transylvanian type collector." The second specimen was lot 1280 in Künker Auction 425 (Osnabrück, July 2025), where it sold for €1,500 (about US$2,124 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[2] noted,
"EUROPÄISCHE MÜNZEN UND MEDAILLEN · UNGARN, Johannes Zapolya, 1526-1540. Goldgulden 1540, Klausenburg. Kammergraf Georgius (Schatzmeister). GOLD. R Kl. Schrötlingsriß, sehr schön. (kingdom of Hungary, John Zapolya, 1526-40, goldgulden of 1540, Klausenburg mint. Rare, planchet crack, very fine.)"
This type was struck 1527-40 but was first dated in 1537. Another goldgulden from the same ruler features the Madonna on the reverse. Friedberg lists this type under Hungary. Wikipedia comments,
"John Zápolya or Szapolyai (Hungarian: Szapolyai/ Zápolya János; 1490 or 1491 – 22 July 1540), was King of Hungary (as John I) from 1526 to 1540. His rule was disputed by Archduke Ferdinand I, who also claimed the title King of Hungary. He was Voivode of Transylvania before his coronation, from 1510 to 1526."
János Zápolya was prince of Transylvania when king Lazlo was killed by the Turks in 1526. The Ottomans withdrew from Hungary, leaving a power vacuum with two contenders, Zápolya and archduke Ferdinand of Austria. Zápolya had the support of most of the Hungarian nobility but could not obtain foreign recognition or a peace deal with Ferdinand. In the end, he was forced to accept Ottoman suzerainty.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.50 g, 0.986 fine gold, the second specimen 3,42 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-42, Huszár-871, U-691; Pohl N 9.
- 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]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2018 September 6-11 Long Beach Expo World Coins & Ancient Coins Signature Auction #3067, Dallas: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2018.
- [2]Künker, Fritz Rudolf, Horst-Rudiger Künker, Ulrich Künker and Andreas Kaiser, Katalog 425: Gold coins from the Medieval and Modern Times, from the Mohr family collection, e.g. | Silver coins, e.g. highlights of medallic art | German coins after 1871, Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2025.
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