Isenburg 1811 2 ducats Fr-1357
This specimen was lot 684 in Stack's "Vermuele, Ward & Mexico Maxico" sale (New York, January 2010), where it did not sell. The catalog description[1] noted, "GERMAN STATES. ISENBURG. Carl of Isenburg-Birstein, 1803-1815. 2 Ducats, 1811. Bare head of Napoleon's ally l. by J. Laroque. Rv. Wide Arms on mantle divides date, DUCAT appears below, though this coin's weight is that of 2 Ducats, 6.96 grams. Marvelous prooflike flash distinguishes this rarity, one of a mere handful struck. Prince Carl was one of Napoleon's few real German allies and suffered accordingly, his enlarged Duchy being assigned to Hesse-Darmstadt by the Congress of Vienna. He is also remembered as the innocent patron of famed counterfeiter of ancient coins, Karl Wilhelm Becker. MS-62 (NGC)." The SCWC notes that two ducat pieces were struck usng one ducat dies; both denominations are rare. Silver patterns are also mentioned (KM Pn6). The prince also struck thalers, 12 kreuzers and 6 kreuzers in 1811, also scarce.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 7 g, 0.986 fine gold; this specimen: 6.96 grams.
Catalog reference: Fr-1357, KM 50.
- 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]Kraljevich, John, and Frank Van Valen, The Vermuele, Ward & Mexico Maxico Collections, New York: Stack's, 2009.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
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