Bern (1775)-MK 8 ducats Fr-143
This specimen was lot 5057 in Sincona sale 80 (Zurich, October 2022), where it sold for 65,000 CHF (about US$77,903 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"SWITZERLAND | Bern | Stadt und Kanton, 8 Dukaten o. J. (um 1750), Bern. Gekröntes, seitlich eingebuchtetes Stadtwappen auf Kartusche. Darunter die Stempelschneidersignatur MK für Mörikofer. Rv. Kartusche mit vierzeiliger Inschrift. Äusserst selten. Vorzüglich-FDC. Winzige Randfehler. (canton of Bern, undated eight ducats, circa 1750, Bern mint. Obverse; crowned city arms in a cartouche, engraver's initials below; reverse: four line inscription in a cartouche. Extremely rare, Extremely fine-uncirculated, Minor edge flaws.)"
The climbing bear is the badge of Bern, Switzerland. This issue was accompanied by KM 135 (12 ducat), KM 134 (10 ducat), KM 130 (7 ducat), KM 129 (6 ducat), KM 128 (4 ducat) and KM 126 (ducat).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 28 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 27.55 g.
Catalog reference: KM 131, D.T. 466 (listed as 7 ducats), HMZ 2-205b, Fr-143.
- 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, Jürg, and Ruedi Kunzmann, Neuer HMZ-Katalog, Band 2: Die Münzen der Schweiz und Liechtensteins 15//16. Jahrhundert bis Gegenwart, Regenstauf, Germany: H. Gietl Verlag GmbH, 2006.
- [1]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 80, World Coins and Medals, SINCONA Bullion Auction, World Banknotes, Coins and Medals from Switzerland, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2022.
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