Chaponnière & Firmenich SA
Auction 12 18 Oct 2020
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GERMANY. Bavaria. Maximilian I, 1799-1806. Ducat 1821. Rhine's gold in Speyer. Obv. MAXIMILIANUS IOSEPHUS BAVARIAE REX. Bare head right. Rev. AVGVSTA NEMETVM / EX AVRO RHENI / MDCCCXXI. View of Spyer and the Rhine. KM 366; Fr. 269. AU. 3.44 g. UNC small scratch
Interesting coin and a fine example that has retained its original lustre./According to Greek sources, gold from the Rhine has been mined since Antiquity. The continuation of this activity is attested to during the High Middle Ages, in particular with the strong coin production of the towns bordering the river (Mainz, Speyer, etc.). In the first half of the 19th century, work to straighten out the course of the river led to an increase in gold extraction linked to the strong movements of the sand on the river banks before declining very rapidly around 1866.
Interesting coin and a fine example that has retained its original lustre./According to Greek sources, gold from the Rhine has been mined since Antiquity. The continuation of this activity is attested to during the High Middle Ages, in particular with the strong coin production of the towns bordering the river (Mainz, Speyer, etc.). In the first half of the 19th century, work to straighten out the course of the river led to an increase in gold extraction linked to the strong movements of the sand on the river banks before declining very rapidly around 1866.