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This important Polish numismatic rarity is probably the only known specimen of this weight.
Costa Mesa, California –
Stack’s Bowers Galleries is proud to announce the sale of 1621 80 Ducats in gold at its official New York International Numismatic Convention (NYINC) auction in January 2022. This important Polish numismatic rarity is probably the only known specimen of this weight.
These 80 ducats are closely related to the famous 100 ducat issue of the same year. Most sources indicate that the 100 ducats of 1621 to commemorate the Polish victory over the Turkish army in the Battle of Khotyn, which took place from September 2 to October 9, 1621, were minted in three different places on the obverse and twice on the reverse of the coin. Apart from the Battle of Khotyn, there were no events of equal importance in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth this year. However, neither the name of the battle nor any reference to it is found on the coin.
From a military point of view, the Battle of Khotyn can hardly be called a victory for the Commonwealth as it ended with the signing of a peace treaty when both sides refused to continue the fight. However, due to its religious aspect, the battle can be considered significant enough to commemorate with the minting of such a magnificent gold coin. For the first time in this period of European history, the Ottoman Empire and the Sultan’s dreams of further expansion of Islam into Christian countries were stopped by the Polish-Lithuanian army. As an avid Catholic, King Sigismund III.
The diameter (70mm) of the lighter coins, including the 80 ducat coin offered in this auction, is the same as the 100 ducat, only with a thinner flint. The coin was minted in the Royal Mint in Bydgoszcz. The stamps represent the most refined style and detail of the period, thanks to the skill of their creator, Samuel Ammon, one of the most outstanding engravers and medalists of the time. He was born in Schaffhausen (Switzerland) around 1590 and came to Danzig in 1611-1613. He was employed by the city mint as a coin, medal and seal engraver and had a great influence on the development of the Gdansk medalist. Ammon died on March 27, 1622, shortly after making dies for the 100 ducat coin. His initials can be found on both sides of the coin. In addition, the letters II – VE (Jacob Jacobson van Emden) for the coin manager are attached to the back.
As on the medal commemorating the victory in Smolensk, Ammon presented a royal portrait on the 100 ducats, comparable to the works of the brush masters of the time. The king is depicted without a crown and with a shoulder plate adorned with a lion’s head, which underlines the ruler’s courage and refers to the mythical Heracles. The reverse shows the crowned coat of arms of the Republic of Poland, surrounded by the chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece, which identifies the whole country with its idea. The elements around the coat of arms symbolize the royal attributes of caring for subjects (cranes standing on one leg) and the right to forgiveness (angel’s head).
Until recently, only a few 100 ducat coins were known. In The Poles 1621 gold 100 ducats, Published in 2018, Dariusz F. Jasek described 14 different examples (almost all of them with photos). Jasek states that in addition to 100 ducats, gold coins from 30 to 90 ducats and silver coins from 3.5 to 10 thalers were minted. Coins from these groups are much rarer than 100 full weight ducats. As a result, it is difficult to establish comprehensive pedigrees or complete provenances for any of the lighter gold issues of 1621. The 80 ducats, which were on sale at Stack’s Bowers Galleries in January 2022 and now graded AU-50 by PCGS, were last seen when they were bought by its current owner at the Stack auction in June 1995. Before that, it was listed in the collections of JU Niemcewicz and Clifton-Wild. Dutkowski also mentions the Drouot auction in 1962, but this provenance is unconfirmed.
Previous appearances:
• Private collection (1995-present)
• Stack’s (6/1995) Lot # 820, 282.08 g (shown on the cover of the auction catalog)
• Crédit de la Bourse (4/1992) Lot # 806
• Obersdorfer 17; Ex. JU Niemcewicz
• Private collection: Clifton-Wild, 282.08 g
There is also a reference in a 1917 Mehl’s numismatics monthly (Volume 8, Issue 5, p. 75), to a “Mr. Leon â€presented a 70 ducat example on behalf of the famous Virgil brand at a monthly meeting of the Chicago Numismatic Society. It is alleged that Brand also owned 80 and 100 ducats, although a search of Brand’s ledger (compiled when his collection was closed) lists the foreign gold under Poles, none of these ultra-rarities is mentioned. In view of the poor records, this cannot be determined with certainty, and Jasek’s suspicion of the rarity of the 80 ducats seems well founded. Friedberg doesn’t even list the 80s and 70s ducats, although all other denominations in this series are listed.
This stunning Polish rarity will highlight the Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ NYINC auction and offer collectors of ultra-rarities or Polish coins the option to add their names to their origins. This superb coin will be a leading highlight among the many rare coins the company is offering at its January auction and is sure to be a memorable start to the 2022 numismatic calendar. For more information, call 800-458-4646 or email [email protected].
Via Stack’s Bowers Galleries
Stack’s Bowers Galleries conducts live, web, and specialty auctions of US and World rare coins, currencies, and ancient coins, as well as direct sales through retail and wholesale channels. The company’s 85 year legacy includes cataloging and selling many of the United States’ most valuable coin and currency collections to ever cross an auction block – The D. Brent Pogue Collection, The John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, The Louis E Eliasberg, Sr. Collection, The Harry W. Bass, Jr. Collection, The Joel R. Anderson Collection, The Norweb Collection, The Cardinal Collection, and The Battle Born Collection – to name a few. Global coin and currency collections include The Pinnacle Collection, The Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection of World Gold Coins, The Kroisos Collection, The Alicia and Sidney Belzberg Collection, The Wa She Wong Collection and The Thos. H. Collection of Laws.
The company is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California with offices in New York, Wolfeboro, Hong Kong and Paris. Stack’s Bowers Galleries is the official auctioneer for several major numismatic conventions, including events for the American Numismatic Association, the New York International Numismatic Convention, the Whitman Coin & Collectibles Spring, Summer and Winter Exhibitions, and their April and August Hong Kong auctions.
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