Bern 1798 8 ducats Fr-175

from the Stack's Bowers 2019 NYINC sale, lot 41399

This specimen was lot 41399 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2019), where it sold for $57,600. The catalog description^[1] noted,

"A Glorious 8 Ducat Issue from Bern. SWITZERLAND. Bern. 8 Ducat, 1798. NGC MS-63. Two year type (1796 and 1798). Obverse: Crowned bear-adorned arms between laurel sprays, "RESPUBLICA BERNENSIS" around; Reverse: Laurel wreath enclosing denomination and date, large motto around: "BENEDICTUS SIT IEHOVA DEUS" (translates to: "Blessed be Jehovah God"). A VERY RARE multiple Ducat issue, showcasing captivating prooflike reflectivity in the fields and vibrant warm orange tone that outlines the meticulous designs, further emboldening the appearance. Very few marks appear over either side, but several instances of glue residue (easily removable by conservation) do appear to the outside of the upper points of the obverse wreath and are mentioned to help avoid confusion. Extremely desirable as the only example of the type presently certified by either NGC or PCGS."

In addition to this eight ducats, Bern also issued a 4 ducat (KM 155), 2 ducat (KM 154), duplone (KM 152) and thaler (KM 164, 165) in 1798.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 28 g, .986 fine gold.

Catalog reference: KM 157, Fr-175; HMZ-2-205f; Divo-465.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
• 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.
• Richter, Juerg, 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]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio, Matt Orsini and Cris Chatigny, The January 2019 NYINC Sale: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2018.

Link to:

• 1796 8 ducats
• 1798 4 kreuzer = batzen
• 1798 20 kreuzer = 5 batzen
• 1798 thaler
• 1798 quadruple ducat
• 1798 double duplone
• Coins and currency dated 1798
• return to coins of Switzerland, Bern