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March Signature Sale 3096 25-27 Mar 2021
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Austria
Ferdinand III gold 10 Ducat 1657 MS62 NGC, Breslau mint, KM996, Fr-210 (Rare), Saurma-Jeltsch-Unl., F&S-Unl., Herinek-51 (this coin cited). 34.75gm. G. Reichart as mintmaster. Of the highest quality for its type, and very likely without parallel for its precision-struck detail and sharpness alone. The Austrian 10 Ducats of Ferdinand III were produced at both the Vienna and Breslau mints in the years between 1638 and 1657. The 1657 date of this specimen indicates production in the final year of Ferdinand's reign, with the crowned bust serving as the marker of its issuance by the mint at Breslau.
Advanced collectors will recognize that even the most valuable denominations struck in the 17th century, including the very largest gold issues produced, occasionally suffered from the production limitations of the day; strikes were often slightly uneven, if not incomplete. This offering, however, demonstrates not a hint of any such problems. In fact, its crisp detail may well be its greatest strength, for every minute feature expresses an exactitude and clarity that could normally only be expected of the most finely produced medals of the age.
The Emperor's bust remains clearly contoured, as do the most intricate details within, including his well-defined individual hair strands and the fine ornamentation of his regal attire. Yet more impressive, perhaps, is the reverse, where the Austrian eagle is produced to such visual splendor as to be absolutely stunning. Every individual feather is easily discernible against the surrounding details, picked out individually by a pinpoint strike that has left not a single insignificant spot of softness. The sheer boldness of the legends to either side serves as an intricate frame for the central motifs, holding aurous brilliance within that shimmers brightly upon even cursory inspection, cascading across the fields and illuminating the surfaces in dazzling light. Only the gentlest wispy lines in the open expanses preclude finer certification, and indeed, if a finer example exists then we have not yet seen it, nor has NGC, which has certified only the present specimen to date.
Ex. Leu Numismatik Auction 89 (October 2003, Lot 172); Schweizerischer Bankverein Auction 9 (January 1980, Lot 933); Adolph Hess Auction 243 (April 1974, Lot 925)
https://coins.ha.com/itm/austria/austria-ferdinand-iii-gold-10-ducat-1657-ms62-ngc-/a/3096-30110.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 50000-75000 USD
Ferdinand III gold 10 Ducat 1657 MS62 NGC, Breslau mint, KM996, Fr-210 (Rare), Saurma-Jeltsch-Unl., F&S-Unl., Herinek-51 (this coin cited). 34.75gm. G. Reichart as mintmaster. Of the highest quality for its type, and very likely without parallel for its precision-struck detail and sharpness alone. The Austrian 10 Ducats of Ferdinand III were produced at both the Vienna and Breslau mints in the years between 1638 and 1657. The 1657 date of this specimen indicates production in the final year of Ferdinand's reign, with the crowned bust serving as the marker of its issuance by the mint at Breslau.
Advanced collectors will recognize that even the most valuable denominations struck in the 17th century, including the very largest gold issues produced, occasionally suffered from the production limitations of the day; strikes were often slightly uneven, if not incomplete. This offering, however, demonstrates not a hint of any such problems. In fact, its crisp detail may well be its greatest strength, for every minute feature expresses an exactitude and clarity that could normally only be expected of the most finely produced medals of the age.
The Emperor's bust remains clearly contoured, as do the most intricate details within, including his well-defined individual hair strands and the fine ornamentation of his regal attire. Yet more impressive, perhaps, is the reverse, where the Austrian eagle is produced to such visual splendor as to be absolutely stunning. Every individual feather is easily discernible against the surrounding details, picked out individually by a pinpoint strike that has left not a single insignificant spot of softness. The sheer boldness of the legends to either side serves as an intricate frame for the central motifs, holding aurous brilliance within that shimmers brightly upon even cursory inspection, cascading across the fields and illuminating the surfaces in dazzling light. Only the gentlest wispy lines in the open expanses preclude finer certification, and indeed, if a finer example exists then we have not yet seen it, nor has NGC, which has certified only the present specimen to date.
Ex. Leu Numismatik Auction 89 (October 2003, Lot 172); Schweizerischer Bankverein Auction 9 (January 1980, Lot 933); Adolph Hess Auction 243 (April 1974, Lot 925)
https://coins.ha.com/itm/austria/austria-ferdinand-iii-gold-10-ducat-1657-ms62-ngc-/a/3096-30110.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 50000-75000 USD