Heritage World Coin Auctions
March Signature Sale 3096 25-27 Mar 2021
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
Austria
Ferdinand III gold 20 Ducat 1655 AU55 NGC, Vienna mint, KM-Unl., Fr-Unl., Horsky-Unl., Reichel Collection-Unl., MzA-Unl. 69.26gm. Jan Conrad Richthausen as mintmaster. An exceedingly rare type, double the weight of the 10 Ducat issue listed in the Standard Catalog of World Coins. At present, this is the only example that we have seen or have been able to locate--a fact that lends some credence to the speculation that the production of this type was limited to somewhere between only a single and a small handful of examples. Of clear note, the offering was struck from the same dies as the 10 Ducat also offered in this auction, which displays identical diagnostics and reworking of the date, particularly in the final digit.
Immense rarity aside, this selection expresses an incredible appeal in its own right; truly, it appears self-evident in hand that preservation is on the very cusp of Mint State. Smaller details, including Ferdinand's hair, his dress, and the eagle's crown and feathers retain laudable definition. A minute degree of rub, while present, does little to diminish what must necessarily be viewed as an exceptional display of clarity and sharpness. Subtle rotation unleashes glimmering luster across the entirety of the surfaces, and cabinet tone in honey-gold confirms the specimen's age and originality, all while bolstering its aesthetic allure. A likely unique opportunity for our bidders, this grandiose 20 Ducat represents the very peak of desirability for advanced collectors of the fleeting Austrian multiple series.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/austria/austria-ferdinand-iii-gold-20-ducat-1655-au55-ngc-/a/3096-30111.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 80000-120000 USD
Ferdinand III gold 20 Ducat 1655 AU55 NGC, Vienna mint, KM-Unl., Fr-Unl., Horsky-Unl., Reichel Collection-Unl., MzA-Unl. 69.26gm. Jan Conrad Richthausen as mintmaster. An exceedingly rare type, double the weight of the 10 Ducat issue listed in the Standard Catalog of World Coins. At present, this is the only example that we have seen or have been able to locate--a fact that lends some credence to the speculation that the production of this type was limited to somewhere between only a single and a small handful of examples. Of clear note, the offering was struck from the same dies as the 10 Ducat also offered in this auction, which displays identical diagnostics and reworking of the date, particularly in the final digit.
Immense rarity aside, this selection expresses an incredible appeal in its own right; truly, it appears self-evident in hand that preservation is on the very cusp of Mint State. Smaller details, including Ferdinand's hair, his dress, and the eagle's crown and feathers retain laudable definition. A minute degree of rub, while present, does little to diminish what must necessarily be viewed as an exceptional display of clarity and sharpness. Subtle rotation unleashes glimmering luster across the entirety of the surfaces, and cabinet tone in honey-gold confirms the specimen's age and originality, all while bolstering its aesthetic allure. A likely unique opportunity for our bidders, this grandiose 20 Ducat represents the very peak of desirability for advanced collectors of the fleeting Austrian multiple series.
https://coins.ha.com/itm/austria/austria-ferdinand-iii-gold-20-ducat-1655-au55-ngc-/a/3096-30111.s?type=CoinArchives3096
HID02906262019
© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved
Estimate: 80000-120000 USD