Zurich 1624 4 ducats Fr-443
This specimen was lot 2906 in Sincona sale 11 (Zürich, May 2013), where it sold for 30,000 CHF (about US$37,141 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Zürich Stadt 3 Dukaten 1624. Goldabschlag des Talers. Nach links schreitender Löwe mit Schwert und Wappenschild. Rv. Gekrönter, nimbierter Doppeladler. Glatter Rand. 13.67 g. Von grosser Seltenheit. Leicht gewellt, sonst fast vorzüglich. (Switzerland, canton of Zürich, three ducats of 1624, struck using thaler dies. Obverse: lion rampant to left bearing sword and shield; reverse: crowned, nimbate double headed eagle. Plain edge, extremely rare, lightly bent, choice extremely fine.)"
Another extremely rare issue from Zurich. It is, however, a four ducats, not a three ducats, as evidenced by the weight. Note the imperial eagle on the reverse; Switzerland left the Holy Roman Empire at the conclusion of the Thirty Years' War (1648) and the eagle disappeared from the coinage.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 14 g, 0.986 fine gold; this specimen is 13.67 g.
Catalog reference: D.T. 1068d, Anm, HMZ 2-1135a, Fr-443, KM 43.
- 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.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- Richter, Jürg, and Ruedi Kunzmann, Neuer HMZ-Katalog, Band 2: Die Münzen der Schweiz und Liechtensteins 15//16. Jahrhundert bis Gegenwart, Regenstauf, Germany: H. Gietl Verlag GmbH, 2006.
- [1]Numismatic Coins, Medals, Banknotes & Books: Auction 6, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2012.
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