Sayn-Wittgenstein (1623-1626) goldgulden Fr-3054
This specimen was lot 1258 in Jean Elsen sale 124 (Brussels, March 2015), where it sold for €6,500 (about US$8,104 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"ALLEMAGNE, SAYN-WITTGENSTEIN-BERLEBURG, Georg V (1605-1631), AV Goldgulden, s.d. (1623-1626), Au titre de Ferdinand II. 2e type frappé par Johan Schmid. Droit: MON: NOV: AVR: COMES· IN· WI: Trois écus ornés de volutes (Sayn, Homburg et Wittgenstein), posés en triangle autour d'un point. Revers: *FER: II· D: G: ROM: IMP: S: AVG:* Aigle impériale couronnée. De la plus haute rareté. Ebréché. Semble inédit. Très Beau. (Germany, Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, George V (1605-31), goldgulden without date, struck in the name of Ferdinand II, second type struck by John Schmid. Obverse: three shields of Sayn, Homburg and Wittgenstein posed in a triangle; reverse: crowned imperial eagle. Of the highest rarity, mount removed, seems to be unpublished, very fine.)"
The cataloguers at Jean Elsen did not attribute this to Friedberg but we feel it is Fr-3054. In any case, it is very rare. The county of Sayn was a very small state between the archbishopric of Cologne and the duchy of Nassau.
Reported Mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.5 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 3,06 g.
Catalog reference: KM 17, M.-J./V., - (cfr 38-42); Fr-3054.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- 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]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 124, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2015.
Link to:
- Sayn-Wittgenstein (1623-26) goldgulden Fr-3053 one shield obverse/"*FER:II·D:G:RO:IMP:SE:A*"
- Sayn-Wittgenstein-Hohenstein 1677 24 mariengroschen KM-42
- Coins and currency dated 1623
- return to coins of German States, Cologne