Saxony 1696 2 ducats Fr-2774

Heritage sale 3073, lot 31021

This specimen was lot 31021 in Heritage sale 3073 (Chicago, April 2019), where it sold for $7,800. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Saxony. Friedrich August I gold 2 Ducats 1696 UNC Detail (Countermarked) PCGS, The tiny countermark in the lower obverse field barely detracts from the overall impressiveness of this rare issue. Lightly toned with underlying luster, lovely bold strike." Augustus' seizure of the Polish throne embroiled him in wars which bankrupted Saxony.

Recorded mintage: unknown but rare.

Specification: 7 g, .986 fine gold.

Catalog reference: KM 680, Fr-2774.

Source:

• ^[1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3073, featuring the Lake County Collection of British coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
• 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.

Link to:

• 1696-IK ⅔ thaler
• 1696 thaler, bust obverse
• 1696 thaler, birth of Friedrich August III
• 1696 double ducat, on the elector's departure for the campaign against the Turks in Hungary
• 1697-IK quarter thaler
• 1697 ducat
• 1697-IK ducat
• 1697 double ducat
• Coins and currency dated 1696
• return to coins of German States, Saxony