Denmark 1704 5 ducats Fr-246
The first specimen was lot 32134 in Heritage sale 3081 (New York, January 2020), where it sold for $120,000. The catalog description[1] noted,
"Denmark: Charming Mint State "Ship" 5 Ducat. Frederik IV gold 5 Ducat 1704 MS62 NGC, Copenhagen mint. Struck in an original mintage of only 251 examples, this Mint State selection represents an exceptional survivor of a scarce issue, struck over three centuries ago in a time where Denmark's commercial and naval prestige placed it on a first-tier footing on the world stage, vying with other powers for colonial and economic influence. This spirit is surely reflected in its dynamic and engaging reverse design, displaying a ship of the line on the rolling seas, the sun radiant and glowing in the distance. The devices exhibit consistent and clear attention to detail, with Frederik's armored bust presented with a splendor and majesty only fitting for royalty, and the reverse naval scene exhibiting remarkable intricacy over the ship and in the very shapes and curves of the waves themselves. A shimmering brilliance surrounds the soft finish of the devices, notably in [the] exergue on the reverse, resulting in a visual charm that most bidders are unlikely to encounter again in any rare future appearances of the type. Ex. Künker Auction 244 (February 2014, Lot 0416); Pedersen Collection."
The second specimen was lot 1127 in Stack's Bowers sale of the L. E. Bruun Collection (Copenhagen, September 2024), where it sold for €132,000 (about US$146,283 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"Stunning and Immaculate 5 Ducats With Prooflike Surfaces, DENMARK. 5 Ducats, 1704. Copenhagen Mint. Frederik IV. NGC MS-63 Prooflike. Mintmaster: Christian Wineke. Mintage: 251. Coupling an EXTREME RARITY with a beautiful nautical theme on the reverse, this 5 Ducats reaches out and grabs one's attention in a manner that is hard to describe and touches the aesthetic judgement in such a way that only the finest works of art can. The details are so finely engraved they can only be called a masterwork, being some of the finest style work seen on any contemporary issue. The strike is resolutely impressed, with a bold clarity and nothing that is left to be mentally filled in. The fine details are deeply frosted in the richest iciness, which makes them pop from the mirrored fields; as the prooflike designation attests to. Marks are seldom encountered, and even the light touches of friction offer little distraction to the overall allure and appeal of the piece. The beautiful motif of a ship with its gun-ports open sailing towards the sun as well as the legend: CONANDO INVENIMUS ("Daring we win") seem full of hope for a brilliant future and immediately harken one back to the age of Empires and Exploration. A memento worthy of all the adulation that can be heaped upon it, and a piece that will stand out even in the most advanced collections, as it does in the Bruun Collection."
This type was accompanied by a single ducat (Fr-244) and a double ducat (Fr-243).
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 17.45 g, 0.979 fine gold, both specimens 17.12 g.
Catalog reference: KM 482 (Rare), Fr-246; Hede-12; Sieg-53; Schou-1; Bruun-7327.
- 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, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- Siegs Møntcatalog 2016: Danmark med Omrader, 48 ed., Frederikssund, Siegs Forlag ApS, 2015.
- 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 Sam Spiegel, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3081, featuring the Caranett Collection, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019.
- [2]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio, Jeremy Bostwick and Henrik Holt Christensen, The L. E. Bruun Collection - A Corpus of Scandinavian Monetary History Part I, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2024.
Link to: