Colloredo-Mansfeld 1792 ducat Fr-1576
This specimen was lot 1049 in Sincona sale 90 (Zurich, May 2024), where it sold for 3,200 CHF (about US$4,229 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"DEUTSCHLAND Mansfeld, Grafschaft, Vorderortlinie Bornstedt, Franz Gundacar, Fürst von Colloredo-Mansfeld, 1780-1806. Dukat 1792, Spruchdukat. Späterer Abschlag mit den leicht verrosteten Originalstempeln. Fast FDC. Leichte Überprägungsspuren und Stempelfehler auf dem Avers. (Germany, county of Mansfeld, Bornstedt line, Franz de Paula Gundaker, prince of Colloredo-Mansfeld, 1780-1806, ducat of 1792, later restrike with slightly rusty original dies. About uncirculated, Small signs of overstrike and die flaw on obverse.)"
This Austrian prince, the last to hold the office of Vice Chancellor of the Holy Roman Empire, also issued a thaler in 1794 (Dav-1185). The county of Mansfeld was partitioned between Saxony and Prussia on the lapse of the male line in 1780; Francis married the count's half sister and heir, Maria Isabella. The wealth of the house came from various estates in Bohemia. The ducat is rare altho this restrike appears in the auction record from time to time. The thaler shows no records in CoinArchives, suggesting that none have been offered for sale in at least fifteen years.
Hieronymus Graf von Colloredo (1732–1812) was Prince-Bishop of Gurk from 1761 and last Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg from 1771 until 1803, when the Archbishopric was secularized. He was likely Francis' uncle.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 3.49 g, 0.986 fine gold, this specimen 3.49 g.
Catalog reference: KM 2, Tornau 328a Anm. Fr-1576.
- 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.
- [1]Richter, Jurg, SINCONA Auction 90, Münzen und Medaillen der Welt, Zurich: SINCONA AG, 2024.
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