Denmark 1795-MF speciedaler Dav-1313
The division of the late eighteenth century products of the Altona mint into issues of Denmark and issues of Schleswig-Holstein is arbitrary. Here, we will file coins under Denmark unless Schleswig-Holstein is specifically mentioned. This one, with the reverse legend "1· RIGSDALER· SPECIES·", is clearly an example of the former. This specimen was lot 10375 in Stack's Bowers Collectors Choice Online Auction (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2025), where it sold for €384 (about US$400). The catalog description[1] noted, "DENMARK. Speciedaler, 1795-MF. Altona Mint. Christian VII. NGC EF-45. From the L. E. Bruun Collection." In Denmark, 96 skilling = one speciedaler but in late eighteenth century Germany, 120 kreuzer = one convention thaler. This coin was struck at Altona 1795, 1797 and 1801 and is scarce. The initials MF stood for Michael Flor, mintmaster at Altona 1787-1818. Other dates are known from Copenhagen. Christian VII was insane for most of his reign and the government was in the hands of regents, including his stepmother and later his son. The court was the scene of violent power struggles over who would have access to the incapable king.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 28.89 g, 0.875 fine silver, 40 mm diameter, this specimen 28.82 g.
Catalog reference: KM-651.1; Dav-1313; Hede-13A; Sieg-25.1; Schou-3; FP-42.1; Bruun-7916.
- Davenport, John S., European Crowns, 1700-1800, 2nd Ed., London: Spink & Son, 1964.
- 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.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, February 2025 World Collectors Choice Online Auction - Ancients, World Coins & World Paper Money, David B. Simpson Medals & World Coins Part 1, Selections from the Richard Margolis Collection, and Selections from the L. E. Bruun Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2025.
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