View source for Transylvania 1705-KV ducat Fr-478

[[Image:Transylvania 1705 ducat obv H3029-30309.jpg|300px|thumb|Heritage sale 3029, lot 30309]]
[[Image:Transylvania 1705 ducat rev H3029-30309.jpg|300px|thumb|photo courtesy Heritage Auction Galleries]]

This specimen was lot 30309 in Heritage sale 3029 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $18,212.50. The catalog description<sup>[1]</sup> noted, <blockquote>"Franz Rakoczi gold Ducat 1705-KV, Klausenburg mint. AU55 NGC. Minted at Kolovar. Obv. Crowned cartouche with coat of arms of Transylvania with Rakoczi arms atop. Rev. Palm tree surrounded by three hills, K-V and date divided. Struck during the revolt against Austria by Franz Rakoczi, and it was affectionately termed a 'Palm Ducat' because of the focal design. One of the more impressive types of this period. The latin legend, 'TANDEM OPPRESSA RESVRGET', loosely translated, 'though pressed, he rises', confirms this symbolism. The present example, one of only three or four to appear publicly in the past decade, is particularly choice for the assigned grade, with even orange-gold surfaces, no visible abrasive contact and barely a wisp of slight friction on the highpoints. The strike, while not completely full, doesn't obscure intended detail and naturally gives a semi-undulating appearance in the design-free areas. All in all, a rare example of this impressive type that yields a wonderfully story and visually leaves little to be desired.

<p>Franz Rakoczi was born in 1676 into a Hungarian aristocrat family and in time would become an accomplished military leader for [[Hungary]], leading an uprising against the Habsburgs that began in 1703 and lasted until 1711. During this period, Rakoczi, with the French-Bavarian armies as allies, led the cause for Hungarian independence from Austria. In 1704, Rakoczi began his reign as Prince of Transylvania and in September of 1705, he was elected Ruling Prince of Hungary. Peace talks began in 1705, with the sovereignty of Transylvania being a primary stumbling block on an agreement. While he saw numerous military successes up until 1706, the financial burdens of war eventually began to catch up and his military presence began to dwindle. At the Battle of Trencsén in 1708, Rakoczi fell from his horse and was thought dead. As a result much of his army defected and took an oath of allegiance to the Emperor. With a diminished army, Rakoczi's held territory became increasingly limited and in 1711, he fled to Poland. Because of his noble actions, Rakoczi is today considered a national hero in Hungary. Ex: "Colonel" E.H.R. Green; Green Estate' Partnership of Eric P Newman / B.G. Johnson."</p></blockquote> The princes of [[Transylvania]] were sandwiched between the Ottoman Empire to the south and the Hapsburg dominions to the west and attempted to maintain independence from both. The Hapsburgs reconquered Hungary from the Turks in the 1680's and ended Transylvanian autonomy. This type is listed for 1705 only during an unsuccessful rebellion against Austrian rule.

''Recorded mintage:'' unknown.

''Specification:'' 3.5 g, 0.986 fine gold, .110 troy oz AGW. 

''Catalog reference:'' KM 530, Fr-478.

''[[Bibliography|Source:]]''
* 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. 
* Michael, Thomas, ''Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed.,'' Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
* Adolf Resch, ''Siebenburgische Münzen und Medaillen von 1538 bis Gegenwart.'' Hermannstadt, 1901 (reprinted in Montreal, 1965).
* <sup>[1]</sup>Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Stuart Levine and Bruce Lorich, ''Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3029, featuring Selections from the Eric P. Newman Collection, Part III,'' Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013. 

''Link to:''
* [[Transylvania 1699-KV ducat Fr-494|1699 octagonal ducat]]
* [[Transylvania 1702-FT ducat Fr-498|1702-FT ducat, Leopold I]]
* [[Hungary 1705-KB ducat Fr-160]]
* [[Transylvania 1708 5 ducats Fr-500|1708 5 ducats, Joseph I]]
* [[Transylvania 1711-IFK ducat Fr-507|1711 ducat]]
* [[Coins and currency dated 1705]]
* return to coins of [[Transylvania]]

[[Category: Gold ducats of Europe]][[Category:Selections from Heritage sale 3029]]