Prussia 1778-A friedrichs d'or Fr-2411

Sincona sale 46, lot 167

This specimen was lot 167 in Sincona sale 46 (Zürich, May 2018), where it sold for 2,000 CHF (about US$2,400 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[1] noted,

"Brandenburg/Prussia, Friedrich II. 1740-1786. Friedrichs dor 1778 A, Berlin. Greisenantlitz. Nackte Büste mit Lorbeerkranz nach rechts. Rv. Gekrönter Adler auf Fahnen und Waffen, darüber die Jahreszahl 1778, im Abschnitt Münzzeichen A. Gutes sehr schön. Winzige Prüfspur am Rand. (Germany, kingdom of Prussia, Frederick II, 1740-86, frederick d'or of 1778, Berlin mint, old bust. Obverse: bare, laureate bust to right; reverse: crowned eagle rising over piled arms, mintmark dividing date below. Good very fine, Minimal test mark on edge.)"

This type was struck in Berlin (shown here) and in Breslau (Fr-2412) 1775-86. It traded for five thalers. Double friedrichs d'or (Fr-2410) also exist. Frederick the Great emerged victorious from the Seven Years War but it was a very near thing, with only the death of the empress Elizabeth in 1761 saving Prussia from utter destruction. Having established Prussia as a major power, he eschewed further wars of aggression.

Recorded mintage: 216,207.

Specification: 6.65 g, 0.903 fine gold, this specimen 6.62 g.

Catalog reference: Olding 435. Kluge 112.4. Fr-2411, KM 333.

Source:

• 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]Richter, Jürg, Auction 46, Gold Coins and Medals, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2018.
• Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.

Link to:

• 1777-B friedrichs d'or
• 1777-A friedrichs d'or
• 1778-B 2 groschel
• 1778-A thaler
• 1778-B friedrichs d'or
• 1779-A friedrichs d'or
• Coins and currency dated 1778
• return to coins of German States, Prussia