Bern (1710)-DB 10 ducats Fr-147

Heritage sale 3096, lot 30458

This specimen was lot 30458 in Heritage auction 3096 (Dallas, TX, March 2021), where it sold for $132,000. The catalog description^[1] noted,

"Exceptionally Rare and Prooflike 10 Ducat. Switzerland: Bern. City gold 10 Ducat ND (1700-1710) MS63 Prooflike NGC. A visually sublime representative of this indisputably rare issue. A full strike yields vibrant detail to the smallest elements of texturing, including the finest hair details within the bear and lion supporters, the reverse equally sharp and showing not a hint of weakness throughout. The fields serve as consistent pondlike mirrors across which luster rolls brightly and unimpeded, positively washing over the surfaces and embellishing the raised design motifs. It is easy to see how this offering has earned its choice designation; not a single meaningful instance of contact is discernible throughout, and even the expected hairline marks are absolutely trivial, rendered inconsequential by an intense luminosity that very nearly erases any handling. A fine die crack extends from the top toward the bottom of MONETA, adding a unique identifying mark to this coin that will assist in future pedigree identification. Ex. Leu Numismatik Auction 88 (October 2003, Lot 1949); Leu Numismatik Auction 74 (October 1998, Lot 2135); Nordmann Collection (Adolph Hess-Bank Leu Auction 25, 1964, Lot 136); Hauser-Späth Collection (Galerie Fischer-Adolph Hess September 1943, Lot 174). From the Paramount Collection."

This rare issued was accompanied by KM 77 (8 ducat), KM 80 (7 ducat), KM 79 (6 ducat), KM 72 (5 ducat) and KM 78 (4 ducat).

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 35 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 34.48 g.

Catalog reference: KM 81, Fr-147, HMZ-2-203a, Divo-463a (Extremely Rare), Wunderly-Unl.

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 Münzen der Schweiz und Liechtensteins 15//16. Jahrhundert bis Gegenwart, Regenstauf, Germany: H. Gietl Verlag GmbH, 2006.
• ^[1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3096, featuring the Paramount Collection of World & Ancient Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.

Link to:

• 1701 5 ducats, bear holding cartouche
• 1707 triple ducat
• (1710) quadruple ducat
• (1710) octuple ducat
• Coins and currency dated 1710