Bern 1798 4 ducats Fr-177

from the Stack's Bowers 2018 ANA sale, lot 21573

This specimen was lot 21573 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Philadelphia, August 2018), where it sold for $26,400. The catalog description^[1] noted, "SWITZERLAND. Bern. 4 Ducats, 1798. NGC MS-63. Crowned arms between laurel sprays, 'RESPUBLICA BERNENSIS'. Distinctive double rows of dashes created this coin's distinctive borders; Reverse: Large letter motto 'BENEDICTUS SIT IEHOVA DEUS', (Blessed be Jehovah God), surrounds laurel wreath enclosing denomination and date, 'IV/ DUCAT./ 1798'. The more elusive of two known dates, 1796 and 1798. An exceptional presentation, possessing knife-like sharpness throughout the bear-laden design and full prooflike qualities in the fields that add intense gleam to the surfaces. Attractive orange tone serves to add another element of appeal to this already outstanding survivor. RARE and incredibly desirable in this sizable multiple Ducat weight." This rare and expensive type was accompanied by KM 157 (8 ducats), KM 156 (6 ducats), KM 154 (double ducat) and KM 148 (single ducat).

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 14 g, .986 fine gold.

Catalog reference: Fr-177; Divo-473; KM-155.2.

Source:

• 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.
• 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.
• ^[1]Ponterio, Richard, Kyle Ponterio and Chris Chatigny, The August 2018 Philadelphia ANA Auction: World Coins and Selections from the El Dorado Collection of Colombian Coins, Santa Ana, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2018.

Link to:

• 1794 ducat
• 1796 quadruple ducat
• Bern 1797 2 duplone Fr-186
• 1798 thaler, stout warrior
• 1798 taler (thin)
• 1798 2 kreuzer = ½ batzen
• 1798 4 kreuzer = batzen
• 1798 20 kreuzer = 5 batzen
• 1798 8 ducats
• Helvetian Republic 1798-S 40 batzen
• 1798 double duplone
• Coins and currency dated 1798
• return to coins of Switzerland, Bern