Heritage World Coin Auctions
Long Beach Signature Sale 3067 6-7 Sep 2018
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Crusader States
Late Levantine gold Imitative Ducat ND (c. 14th to 16th Century) Gem UNC, 3.37g, cf. Ives Plate XIII, 1 & 2 (for late Levantine imitations of similar style, but with literate legends). An absolutely superbly produced imitative ducat copying an unknown Doge. Although the legends appear to be completely nonsensical and illiterately rendered, the overall style of coin is excellent for an imitative issue, with all of the devices crisply executed and expertly struck--die polish lines strutting proudly across the lustrous surfaces and not a touch of wear to the devices (a slight bit of weakness on 'St. Mark's' face should not be mistaken for rub). Determining the period of mintage for such a piece proves extremely difficult, for while the excellent style (at least following the logic of Ives and Grierson) would at first suggest an earlier date, the absolute blundered nature of the legends points toward a later date of manufacture, possible the 1500s forward. The Ottomans were also known to produce imitative ducats (frengi flori) in the 17th and 18th centuries, though the boldness of the individual letters in the legends makes the present cataloger believe that this theory can quickly be discarded. Nevertheless a brilliant Gem full of mintstate eye-appeal that is sure to garner ample attention. Comes with an old CNG tag.
From the Collection of a Philhellene
HID02901242017
Estimate: 500-700 USD
Late Levantine gold Imitative Ducat ND (c. 14th to 16th Century) Gem UNC, 3.37g, cf. Ives Plate XIII, 1 & 2 (for late Levantine imitations of similar style, but with literate legends). An absolutely superbly produced imitative ducat copying an unknown Doge. Although the legends appear to be completely nonsensical and illiterately rendered, the overall style of coin is excellent for an imitative issue, with all of the devices crisply executed and expertly struck--die polish lines strutting proudly across the lustrous surfaces and not a touch of wear to the devices (a slight bit of weakness on 'St. Mark's' face should not be mistaken for rub). Determining the period of mintage for such a piece proves extremely difficult, for while the excellent style (at least following the logic of Ives and Grierson) would at first suggest an earlier date, the absolute blundered nature of the legends points toward a later date of manufacture, possible the 1500s forward. The Ottomans were also known to produce imitative ducats (frengi flori) in the 17th and 18th centuries, though the boldness of the individual letters in the legends makes the present cataloger believe that this theory can quickly be discarded. Nevertheless a brilliant Gem full of mintstate eye-appeal that is sure to garner ample attention. Comes with an old CNG tag.
From the Collection of a Philhellene
HID02901242017
Estimate: 500-700 USD