Sweden 1848-AG ducat Fr-90a

Heritage sale 3106, lot 34281

photo courtesy Heritage Auction Galleries

This specimen was lot 34281 in Heritage sale 3106 (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $1,680. The catalog description^[1] noted, "Sweden: Oscar I gold Ducat 1848/4-AG MS64 NGC, Stockholm mint. This handsome near Gem specimen, was minted as part of a series that was commonly overstruck, however this specific overdate was not listed in KM. This coin exhibits exceptional Prooflike qualities, especially on the reverse that features a distinct mirrorlike surface." This type was struck 1845-59 and is the first Swedish ducat that can be called fairly common.

Collecting Swedish coins is complicated by the multiple currency reforms the country underwent during the period. In 1798, 48 skilling = 1 riksdaler species and 2 riksdaler species = 1 ducat (the ducat was the same size as the coin shown here and the riksdaler species was 29.36 g, 0.878 fine silver). In 1830, 32 skilling banco = 1 riksdaler riksgald and 4 riksdaler riksgalds = 1 riksdaler species (the riksdaler species became 34 g, 0.750 fine silver). In 1855, the skilling was dropped and 100 öre = 4 riksdaler riksmynt = 1 riksdaler species (the riksdaler species remained unchanged). In 1873, the riksdaler species was dropped and 100 öre = 1 krona (the krona, at 7.5 g, 0.800 fine silver, was slightly smaller than the old riksdaler riksmynt). The system adopted in 1873 is still in use today, the Swedes having recently declined to adopt the euro.

Recorded mintage: 37,000.

Specification: 3.49 g, 0.976 fine gold.

Catalog reference: KM 668 (unlisted overdate), Fr-90a.

Source:

• Bjorne Ahlström, Yngve Almer and Bengt Hemmingson, Sveriges Mynt, 1521-1977, the Coinage of Sweden. Stockholm: Numismatika Bokförlaget AB, 1976.
• Delzanno, Roberto, Myntårsboken 2022, Sveriges Mynt 995-2021, 1:a upplagen, Stockholm, 2021.
• 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.
• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]Cristiano Bierrenbach, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, 2023 January 17 - 18 NYINC World & Ancient Coins Signature Auction #3106, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2022.

Link to:

• 1847 riksdaler specie
• 1847 ducat
• 1848-AG 1/16 riksdaler
• 1848-AG quarter riksdaler specie
• 1848 half riksdaler specie
• 1849 1/6 skilling
• 1849 2/3 skilling
• 1849 skilling banco
• 1849 2 skilling banco
• 1849 4 skilling banco
• 1849 ducat
• Coins and currency dated 1848