Ex Virgil Brand Collection

Triton XIX, Lot: 2683. Estimate $10000. Sold for $110000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

TRANSYLVANIA, Principality. Gheorghe Rákóczi I. 1630-1648. AV 20 Dukát (42mm, 70.66 g, 12h). Cluj-Napoca (Klausenburg / Kolozsvár) mint. Dated 1631 CV, thought to be a later restrike. Armored half-length bust right, wearing plumed fur cap and holding lis-tipped scepter over shoulder and hilt of sword / Legend in six lines within ornate frame. Cf. Resch 3; cf. MBR 1647; cf. KM 228; cf. Friedberg 375; cf. WAG 74, lot 2245 (all for 10 Dukát from the same dies). Choice EF. Extremely rare.

From the collection of Dr. Lawrence A. Adams. Ex Virgil M. Brand Collection (Part 8, Sotheby’s, 24 January 1985), lot 558.

While the Brand catalog suggests that this piece is a 19th century restrike, all cited examples of the 10 Dukát bear the same diagnostic die break on the reverse.