View source for File:Transylvania 1594 ducat obv H3029-30296.jpg

This specimen was lot 30296 in Heritage sale 3029 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $2,232.50. The catalog description<sup>[1]</sup> noted, "Sigismund Bathori gold Ducat 1594, Klausenburg mint, Fr-297, MS62 NGC. Obv. St. Ladislaus standing facing, holding ax and globus cruciger. Rev. Madonna and Child facing. Fully lustrous, and well struck for the issue, with a noticeable flan crack on the reverse edge at 1:00 and continuing through the Madonna's neck. Sigismund was elected Prince of Transylvania at the early age of nine. When he was 16, he was advised to oppose the Ottomans in order to preserve the country's independence. He later abdicated and tried, without success, to reclaim the throne. Michael the Brave repelled him both times. He died in 1613 in Prague."