Bern 1697-B 3 ducats Fr-132
This specimen was lot 5100 in Sincona Auction 102 (Zürich, October 2025), where it sold for 16,000 CHF (about US$24,115 including buyers' fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SCHWEIZ Bern, Stadt und Kanton, 3 Dukaten 1697, Bern. Zwei ovale Berner Wappen einander gegenübergestellt. Darüber jeweils ein Puttenkopf. Oben Krone, sowie das Münzzeichen "B" für Burckhard. Unten die Wertzahl "3". Rv. Mann und Frau halten ein Tuch mit Inschrift und Jahreszahl. Sehr selten. Vorzüglich-FDC. Prachtvolle Erhaltung. (Switzerland, city and canton of Bern, triple ducat of 1697, Bern mint. Obverse: Two oval arms of Bern are placed opposite each other, above each is a cherub's head, at the top is a crown, as well as the mint mark "B" for Burckhard, below is the value "3". Reverse: A man and a woman hold a drape with an inscription and the date. Very rare, About Uncirculated, Magnificent condition.)"
This type is also listed for 1680 and 1684. Another triple ducat struck in 1697 (KM 63/Fr-133) has a similar design but adds garlands to both sides.
Recorded mintage: unknown but rare.
Specification: 10.5 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 10.26 g.
Catalog reference: KM 52, Lohner 65, D.T. 111c, HMZ 2-186d, Fr-132.
- 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]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 102: The Konrad Bürki Collection - Part 4 (Swiss Cantonal Coins), Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2025.
Link to: