Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (1745) ducat Fr-3010

Heritage sale 3030, lot 23668

photo courtesy Heritage Auction Galleries

Künker sale 352, lot 2132

Sincona sale 97, lot 1371

Saxony in 1648

Saalfeld in 1789

The first specimen was lot 23668 in Heritage sale 3030 (New York, January 2014), where it sold for $3,055. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. Franz Josias gold Ducat ND (1745), AU58 NGC, nicely toned and original with considerable mint luster. The obverse shows the Duke kneeling before Christ on the cross. Very scarce type and a pleasing example." The second specimen was lot 2132 in Künker sale 352 (Osnabrück, Germany, September 2021), where it sold for €1,300 (about US$1,809 including buyer's fees). The catalog description^[2] noted,

"SACHSEN, SACHSEN-SAALFELD, HERZOGTUM, AB 1735 S, Christian Ernst allein, 1729-1745. Dukat o. J. (1745), Saalfeld, auf seinen Tod. GOLD. Vorzüglich. (Germany, duchy of Saxe-Saalfeld, Christian Ernest alone, 1729-45, undated ducat, Saalfeld mint, on his death. Extremely fine.)"

The third specimen was lot 1371 in SINCONA Auction 97 (Zürich, May 2025), where it sold for 800 CHF (about US$1,161 including buyers' fees). The catalog description^[3] noted,

"DEUTSCHLAND Sachsen-Coburg-Saalfeld, Herzogtum, Christian Ernst, 1729-1745. Dukat o. J. (1745), Saalfeld. Auf seinen Tod. Sehr schön-vorzüglich. (Germany, duchy of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, Christian Ernest, 1729-45, undated ducat, circa 1745, Saalfeld mint, on his death. Very Fine-Extremely Fine.)"

This issue is accompanied by a double ducat (Fr-3009). Both are rare. Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld was created in 1735 when the duke of Saxe-Saalfeld received Coburg and ended in 1826 when Coburg was traded to Saxe-Gotha.

Recorded mintage: unknown.

Specification: 3.5 g, 0.986 fine gold, the second specimen 3,48 g, the third specimen 3.44 g.

Catalog reference: KM 30, Fr-3010; Kozinowski/Otto/Ruß 805.1.

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.
• ^[1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and David Michaels, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3030, featuring the RLM Collection, the Isaac Rudman Collection, the Hans Cook Collection and the Collection of Donald E. Bently, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2013.
• ^[2]Künker, Fritz Rudolf, Horst-Rudiger Künker, Ulrich Künker and Andreas Kaiser, Künker Auktion 352: Die Sammlung Hermann Schwarz: Faszination des gepragten Goldes. Osnabrück: Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co., AG, 2021.
• ^[3]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 97: World and Swiss Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, Zürich: SINCONA AG, 2025.

Link to:

• 1729 half thaler, death of Johann Ernst VIII
• 1729 thaler, death of Johann Ernst VIII
• 1743 quarter ducat
• (1745) double ducat, on the death of the duke
• Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld 1752-GHE 1/4 ducat Fr-3012
• Coins and currency dated 1745
• return to coins of German States, Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld