Zurich 1646 8 ducats Fr-470
This specimen was lot 30469 in Heritage auction 3096 (Dallas, TX, March 2021), where it sold for $72,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Practically Mint State Zurich 8 Ducat. Switzerland: Zurich. Canton gold 8 Ducat 1646 AU58 NGC. Struck from Taler dies (cf. KM 66). A fantastic rendition of this classic taler design in gold, struck on a charmingly full flan with only the least evidence of waviness and an essentially full outer border. While traces of die rust and notable strain occur across the reverse, suggesting an already aged die state, this is far from the case on the obverse, where the elements of the struck design appear fully expressed. Sharp contouring is observed in the legends and edge denticles, and even the finer stippling of the lions' fur is still quite clear, suggesting a light level of circulation. Aside from the noted Iklé Collection from which this representative hails, a specimen of 8 Ducat weight was absent from all other major Swiss collections we have consulted, and we would add that the 2002 Leu listing stated that this is the coin cited by Hürlimann, likely on account of its nearly identical weight, though it is not plated in his book. Ex. Leu Numismatik Auction 84 (October 2002, Lot 884); Adolf Iklé Collection (Leo Hamburger Auction 23, May 1911, Lot 54). From the Paramount Collection."
The year 1646 also saw the issue of KM A70 (6 ducat), KM 68/69 (ducat), KM 67 (2 thaler) and KM 66 (thaler).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 28 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 27.32 g.
Catalog reference: KM-B70 (Rare), Fr-470 (Very Rare), HMZ-Unl., Divo-Unl., Hirzel-Unl., Wunderly-Unl., Hürlimann-90.
- 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]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3096, featuring the Paramount Collection of World & Ancient Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
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