Denmark (1670-99) 2 ducats Fr-7

Sincona sale 83, lot 2530

This specimen was lot 2530 in Sincona sale 83 (Zurich, May 2023), where it sold for 15,000 CHF (about US$20,075 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"DENMARK, Christian V. 1670-1699. 2 Dukaten o. J., Kopenhagen. FVMO FLAMMA PROXIMA (Der Rauch folgt dem Feuer) Drei Rauchwolken steigen aus einem Erdball hervor. Rv. SED SANGVINE CONSTANT (aber das Blut bleibt). Waffen und Standarten auf einem Bodenstück. Äusserst selten. Sehr schön-vorzüglich (kingdom of Denmark, Christian V, 1670-99, undated double ducat, Copenhagen mint. The obverse legend reads, "The smoke follows the fire." Three plumes of smoke rise from a globe; reverse: SED SANGVINE CONSTANT (but the blood remains). Weapons and standards on a piece of ground. Extremely rare, Very fine-extremely fine).

Über die Frage der Zuweisung zu Dänemark schreibt Holger Hede im "Nordisk Numismatisk Unions Medlemblad" 1955, Seite 201f. Als Anlass zu dieser Prägung wird das Gedenken an die Opfer der Nordischen Kriege angenommen (Holger Hede writes about the question of attribution to Denmark in "Nordisk Numismatisk Unions Medlemblad" 1955, page 201 ff. The commemoration of the victims of the Northern Wars is assumed to be the reason for this issue.)"

Christian V issued a variety of double ducats during his reign, some dated, some not. All are rare, presumably because of his poverty of gold. We doubt this is actually Fr-7 as it doesn't match that number in Friedberg for Denmark or Norway.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 6.98 g, 0.979 fine gold. This specimen is 6.91 g.

Catalog reference: Hede 59. Sieg 126, Fr-7, KM 460.

Source:

• 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.
• Siegs Møntcatalog 2016: Danmark med Omrader, 48 ed., Frederikssund, Siegs Forlag ApS, 2015.
• ^[1]Richter, Jürg, SINCONA Auction 83, World and Swiss Coins and Medals, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2023.

Link to:

• 1670-GK III marck (¼ ducat)
• 1670 speciedaler
• 1670-GK double ducat
• 1671-GK ducat
• 1673 double ducat
• 1688 double ducat, Fort Christiansborg
• 1691 double ducat
• 1699 double ducat
• Coins and currency dated 1670