Dietrichstein 1638 5 ducats Fr-538
This specimen was lot 30083 in Heritage auction 3096 (Dallas, TX, March 2021), where it sold for $40,800. The catalog description[1] noted,
"The First Gold Multiple of Dietrichstein - Perhaps Unique in Private Hands. Austria - Dietrichstein. Sigismund Ludwig gold 5 Ducat 1638 UNC Details (Repaired) NGC, Graz or St. Veit mint. Struck from Taler dies (cf. KM 6). A show-stopping issue within this already challenging series, and a type that may very well be unique in private hands--the consignor knowing of just one other specimen--ranking as the first gold multiple, as well as the first gold emission of Dietrichstein in general. Sigismund Ludwig had just received confirmation to mint coinage in his own name from Emperor Ferdinand III in 1637, which likely accounts for the "FIII" on the reverse. It is, however, supposed from his Talers that he had been striking coins for some years prior. Despite the repaired designation on the holder, perhaps in reference to light hairlines over the fields or else some work done on the edge, the overall presentation is excellent--the devices carefully measured and formed in full baroque style, while handling has been kept to a minimum. Entirely missing from the Donebauer, Horsky, von Schluthess-Rechberg, Antoine-Feill, Reichel, and Trau collections, with neither the Standard Catalog of World Coins nor Friedberg providing any illustration for this date. It follows, then, that this may be a singular opportunity for collectors to obtain an example of this rare, and absolutely enticing multiple ducat. Ex. Gorny & Mosch Auction 120 (October 2002, Lot 6031). From the Paramount Collection."
The princes of Dietrichstein were not territorial lords but servants to the emperor who were granted the mint right. Several thalers were struck in the seventeenth century, all rare. This type was accompanied by a thaler (KM 1) and a six ducats (KM A12). also rare.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 17.50 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 17.34 g.
Catalog reference: KM 2 (Rare), Fr-538 (Rare), Donebauer-Unl., Horsky-Unl., von Schluthess-Rechberg Collection-Unl., Antoine-Feill Collection-Unl., Reichel Collection-Unl., Trau Collection-Unl., Holzmair-Unl., Polivka-Unl.
- 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.
- [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.
Link to: