artnouveau

postwar

Early Modern Gold Coins

The Early Modern period is marked by a return to realistic portraiture, an explosion of trade and trade coinage, and aggressive conquest and colonization in search of gold.

Spain and Portugal found lucrative sources of gold in South and Central America, while France and England settled North America in the disappointed expectation of the same. From about 1450-1530 the Portuguese currency dominated world trade; from 1530-1640 the Spanish currency did the same.

France reverted to a tried and true means of acquisition - war and confiscation - which made Louis XIV the richest king in Europe. The French currency came to dominate world trade by the middle of his reign until the after the time of Napoleon.

The English traders found a great source of gold in West Africa (Guinea - hence the English Guinea). India too provided Portugal and England with gold accumulated from centuries of international trade. And the seizure of Spanish ships loaded with gold led to twenty years of Anglo-Spanish naval war. The English Currency dominated world trade from the fall of Napoleon until the end of the First World War.

Meanwhile, Germany found a rich local vein in Salzburg which gave birth to the Dukat; and Amsterdam established herself as a banking giant, while issuing its own highly successful version of the Dukat.

In Italy, powerful banking concerns ruled by the likes of the Medicis, the Sforzas, the Estes and the Popes (often from the preceding families), acquired great fortunes in gold; while Genoa and Venice used powerful navies to conquer much of the territory - and gold - of the fallen Byzantines.

SPAIN Fernando and Isabella, 1469-1504. 4 Excellentes n. d.(14,05 g) Segovia. Crowned busts of Ferdinand on l. and Isabella on r. facing. Mintmark aqueduct above; assayer letter A on r. Rev. crowned Spanish arms on eagle with nimbate head turned to l. . C.T. 11. Cayon 2954. Fr. 125. Very rare, of great hisotircal significance, lovely style, unusually well struck portraits. Graded NGC AU55
Near EF.........................P.O.R.

Naples. Ferdinand I (of Aragon), 1458-1494.Ducat, ND.(3.53 Grams.) Mintmaster C, Jacopo Cotrugli or Cola Spinglli. Obv: Crowned portrait right of Ferdinand RECORDAT MISERICORDIE SV./Crowned shield with arms. Leg: FERDINANDVS G:R SI:IEF CNIpl.V,6 var; Biaggi-1669; Grierson-942;
light crease on reverse.
Graded NGC AU58
EF..................................on hold

BRABANT Charles Quint (1506-1555), AV réal d'or, (5,31gs) . (1546-1556), : Crowned Empereur holding sword and cruciger/ Imperial Eagle surrounding Arms on Shield: G.H., 183-1b; Delm., 97; W., 659; Fr., 56. .Provenance: Monnaies et Médailles, Bâle, liste 413, juillet 1979, 64, Jean Elsen 2007

Lovely EF....................................$3250

France, Francois I
(1515-47), Écu d'or au Soleil du Dauphiné, (3.31g), 1st type, Crémieu, the arms of France and Dauphiné quartered, sun above, rev. floriate cross, plain angles (Dupl.782; F.354),
Provenance: P Rynearson

Near EF.....................................$775

Great Britain. James I (1603-1625).

Gold laurel. (9.00 gm), third coinage, laurel, mm. spur rowel, second laur. bust l., mark of value behind, rev. long cross fleury over crowned shield of arms (S.2638; N.2112),
Provenance: Bloomsbury Auctions

with a superb portrait.
Good EF.............................sold

THE SPANISH STATE
Felipe IV. 1621-1665
Flanders (Spanish Netherlands)
Souverain or Lion d'or 1658/7, Brussels. (5.53 g) Crowned lion left // Code of arms. Delm. 179; Fr. 108.

(Grade NGC AU58)
EF and well struck on a round full flan- altogether extraordinary for this normally degraded issue............. on hold

Netherlands Holland United Provinces Double Dukat (6.82g) 1759. rare proof issue (presentation piece?) Standing Rider/Latin legend - MO:ORD PROVIN FOEDER BELG.AD LEG.IMP (MOneta ORDinum PROVINciarum FOEDERatorum BELGicarum AD LEGem IMPerii)
(Graded NGC PL63)
Proof superb EF.....................$3200

GERMANY Salzburg 1668-1687
Max Gandolph Graf-Küenburg

4 Dukat 1682 (13.76g). For the 100 year anniversary of the reformation. Nimbate St. Martin of Tours in episcopal regalia with goose at feet, and the martyrs Vincentius, in deaconal vestments, Hermes, in military outfit, Chrysanthus, in military outfit and Daria, standing below clouds with rays of the sun breaking through.BR:3128 var., Pr:1580, Very Rare. (Graded NGC MS62)

Good EF ......................$14,500

GERMANY Nurnberg 6 Dukat 1698, (20,62 g.) For the Treaty of Rijswijk. Peace standing, Cherub with shields below - GFN (Georg Friedrich Nürnberger, Mintmaster in Nürnberg 1677-1716),/ City view of Nurnberg, 'Jehova' in sunbursts, legend below with date, Fb. 1872; Kellner 266 Anm.; Pax in Nummis 388. Provenance: CNG (Triton) Rare
EF...........................$19,500

GERMANY Frankfurt

2 dukat (6.82g) 1710 Tower of God buffeted by thunder and lightning, symbol of trinity above: Nomen Domine Turis Fortissima (The name of the Lord is our Tower of Strength)/ Heraldic Eagle: Ducatus Novus Reipubl Francfort
Provenance: Heritage Auctions. Very Rare

Nearly EF...................$7,500

Austria-Hungary Maria Theresia, 1740–1780. 2 Dukaten 1765, (6,92 g.) Kremnitz Queen in field /. Madonna sitting on throne with Christ child. Huszár 1648. Eypeltauer 250. KM 379 (Hungary). Fr. 179 (Hungary)
(Graded NGC AU55)

EF..........................sold

France Louis XIV. 1643-1715.
Louis d'or à la meche longue 1651, Paris. (6,72 g ) CHRS REGN VINC IMP" ("Christ reigns, defeats and commands"). Engraver: Jean Warin (1604- 1672) Dupl. 1422. Fr. 418.
Graded NGC MS63

EF.....................sold

France Louis XIV. 1643-1715.

Louis d'or à l'écu 1690, Dijon. (6,72 g.) Dupl. 1435A. Fr. 429. Réformation. "Sit Nomen Domini Benedictus" (Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Graded NGC MS62

Good EF - superior strike......sold

France Louis XV, 1715-1774. 

2 Louis d'or "de Noailles" 1717 A, Paris. (12,24 g.) CHRS REGN VINC IMP" ("Christ reigns, defeats and commands"). Duplessy 1630; Fb. 450
Graded NGC MS63

Superb EF.....................on hold