Transylvania 1695-KV 5 ducats Fr-483
This specimen was lot 75798 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2024), where it sold for $12,000. The catalog description[1] noted, "TRANSYLVANIA. 5 Ducats, 1695-KV. Klausenburg Mint. Leopold I. ABOUT UNCIRCULATED Details. Ex-Jewelry, Holed, Polished. Obverse: Half-length armored portrait of Leopold I; Reverse: Hapsburg Double Headed Eagle. Amongst the most elusive and demanded of European gold issues are from the principality of Transylvania, with its many connections to folklore and myth. Gold from Transylvania is amongst the RAREST issues of European gold, and the chance to acquire a piece is seldom encountered. This example displays much evidence of past damage, with jewelry use leaving the surfaces impaired and lacking a distinct originality. The details are mostly present, with this piece die matching the plated example in Friedberg. We note that both PCGS and NGC declined to holder this specimen, and as such it must be treated as a lot that is not returnable. Buyer caution is encouraged before bidding, and we suggest diligence before placing any bids. SOLD AS IS/NO RETURNS." We don't see KM 517 in our edition of the SCWC. The closest is KM 512 of 1694, which is an octagonal five ducats.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 17 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 16.78 g.
Catalog reference: Fr-483; KM-517.
- 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]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, February 2024 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
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