Nomos AG
Auction 21 21 Nov 2020
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FRANCE, Provincial - Alsace. Strasbourg. none. Ducat de prestige (Gold, 23 mm, 3.49 g, 6 h), struck as a form of presentation piece in a denomination that had become obsolete, undated, but struck soon after 1681 when Strasbourg became part of France by the Treaty of Illkirch. DUCATUS/CIVITATIS/ARGENTI/NENSIS all within an ornamental cartouche; above, lis; below, flower. Rev. GLORIA.IN.EXCELSIS.DEO Arms of Strasbourg supported by two lions and surmounted by a winged helm. Cf. Engel et Lehr 494 = De Mey 40 (triple ducat). Friedberg 237a. Extremely rare. A coin of great interest and importance - beautifully preserved. Some areas of flat striking, otherwise, good extremely fine.
From a Swiss collection, ex OGN, 9 March 2018, 220 and Inumis, VSO 5, 21 March 2008, 689.
A clear sign of the unusual nature of this coin comes from its legend, in which the city is described as a Civitatis - a city - rather than as Republicae - an independent state. This can only have occurred after the city had become a French possession, in fact, an integral part of France. Strasbourg also became a French royal mint, striking French royal coinage; thus, the ducat denomination was no longer current and could only be struck for ceremonial use.
From a Swiss collection, ex OGN, 9 March 2018, 220 and Inumis, VSO 5, 21 March 2008, 689.
A clear sign of the unusual nature of this coin comes from its legend, in which the city is described as a Civitatis - a city - rather than as Republicae - an independent state. This can only have occurred after the city had become a French possession, in fact, an integral part of France. Strasbourg also became a French royal mint, striking French royal coinage; thus, the ducat denomination was no longer current and could only be struck for ceremonial use.