Watch List notes:

POLAND. Royal Prussia. 10 Ducats, (15)93. Malbork Mint. Sigismund III. PCGS Genuine--Cleaned, AU Details.
Fr-Unlisted; H-Cz-7273 (R8); Kop-1434 (R8); Kur-1737 (R8); Gum-1347. Weight: 35.03 gms. Obverse: Crowned and enrobed bust of Sigismund III right; Reverse: Crowned coat-of arms. Certainly garish and showy, this 10 Ducat of Sigismund III does not lack for appeal and wow factor. Produced at the Malbork Mint, perhaps the most elusive of Polish mints, the function of this 10 Ducats appears to be dissimilar from other multiple Ducats of Sigismund III, which were almost certainly donative in nature. Instead, as recorded by Zagorski, these pieces were produced pursuant to an order of Jan Firley, treasurer of the Polish Crown that authorized Malbork to produce 5 and 10 Ducats for the Royal casket to be paid out as salaries by the King.

We were able to trace no other example of this type and date, and this silence points very strongly to the conclusion that almost no examples survive to the present day. Given this reality, one most accept any example of the type that comes along, with this example fitting that bill admirably, despite the noted cleaning. The details remain sharp, with just a limited amount of wearing on the devices. Some scattered marks are seen in the open fields, though these are not aggressive nor defacing. A supremely elusive issue of Polish numismatics, and a piece assured of a plethora of bids.

From the Anthony J. Taraszka Collection.

Estimate: $250000 - $350000