Transylvania 1694-KV 3 ducats Fr-488
This specimen was lot 30390 in Heritage sale 3097 (New York, January 2022), where it sold for $108,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Rare Choice Leopold I 3 Ducat. Transylvania: Leopold I gold 3 Ducat 1694-KV MS63 NGC, Klausenburg mint. A conditionally and visually superior specimen that pushes the very bounds of what is normally considered possible for a larger gold emission of its age and type. Bearing the portrait of Leopold I just one decade after the Battle of Vienna and the reconquest of Hungary and Transylvania, culminating with the Treaty of Karlowitz and the conclusion of the Great Turkish War in 1699. An homage to the region's new suzerainty, the bust displays a firm strike that yields nearly full expression of the engraver's intentions, lending an air of strength long associated with the ruler. Full lemon-yellow patina abounds, elevated by prominent instances of original mint brilliance as a result of the impressive state of preservation bestowed upon the offering. The reverse finds itself especially pristine and seemingly finer than the assigned grade would indicate, with nary a distracting mark outside of the occasional handling wisp to speak of, and only a minute rim ding to note for the sake of accuracy. Aptly Choice Mint State, this offering reveals a most complex and desirable character, and one not often encountered for auction. Interestingly the 5 and 10 Ducat issues have been witnessed for sale with greater frequency than this issue, and is the only piece of 3 Ducat weight to be seen crossing the block in the last 2 decades. As such, we expect high demand resulting in an elevated bidder enthusiasm for this exceedingly choice and rare specimen. Ex. Schulman Auction 365 (October 2020, Lot 1626); Hess-Divo Auction 332 (May 2017, Lot 709)."
The closest listing in the SCWC is KM 521 of 1697-98, which also features the emperor Leopold. Many Transylvanian gold coins are medallic in nature.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 10.5 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 10.30 g.
Catalog reference: KM-Unl., Fr-488, MzA-193, Herinek-137, CNA-83-i-7, Montenuovo-Unl., Resch-Unl., MBR-Unl.
- 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]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, NYINC World Coins Platinum Night Auction 3097, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
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