Transylvania 1586-NB ducat Fr-71
This specimen was lot 41160 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2026), where it sold for $8,700. The catalog description[1] noted, "POLAND. Transylvania. Ducat, 1586-NB. Nagybanya Mint. Stephan Bathori. NGC AU-55. Tied for finest certified of the date on the NGC population report with one other example, none finer. This gently handled example boasts a strong strike with well-formed design features. The surfaces display a pale gold coloration with plenty remaining luster in the protected areas. A pleasing example of this tough to locate issue in high grade and should be considered RARE is this state of preservation. From the Collection of Kazmier Wysocki, former mayor of Hackensack, New Jersey. Ex: El Dorado Coin Galleries, Inc. (6/1984) Lot # 173. (Though the auction ticket states July,14 1984)." Other ducats with Stephan's portrait include issues from Danzig (Fr-3) and Vilnius (Fr-3). Wikipedia comments, "Stephen Báthory (1533-86) was King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania as well as Prince of Transylvania (1576–1586), after previously being Voivode of Transylvania (1571–1576)." His cousin, Sigismund Bathory (1573-1613), succeeded him as prince of Transylvania and also struck ducats in 1586 (Fr-295).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.49 g, 0.986 fine gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-71; Parchimowicz-2622; Gum-773.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, January 2026 NYINC Showcase Auction, Ancient and World Coins, featuring the Kazmier Wysocki Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
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