Lot 477
Austria. Holy Roman Empire. Gold 7 Ducats, ND (after 1511) (Hall Mint). Of the highest Rarity! FR--. Cf.: Dav --; Egg. 15; Voglh. 3, all silver Guldiners. 24.18 grams. Maximilian I, 1490-1519. Laureate youthful bust of Maximilian right, draped and mantled, with shoulder-length hair; Latin titles around, across field, "ETA - TIS - 19 -." Reverse: Draped bust right of young Mary; Latin titles around, across field, "ETA - TIS - 20 -," 1479 below bust. Very slight doubling to portion of obverse inscription; with only a hint of doubling at parts of the portraits. Carefully handled and preserved over the years, with only a few trifling marks. Especially choice for issue in general. NGC graded MS-63.
Maximilian was able to consolidate the Habsburg holdings through marriage and outright purchase. He married the only daughter of the duke of Burgundy, Mary, in 1477, and thus obtained control of the Burgundian Netherlands. In 1490, he bought Tyrol and Further Austria from his cousin Sigismund. In 1493, the death of his father Friedrich III, gave Maximilian control of all the Habsburg lands. This consolidation led to the modern power of the Holy Roman Emperors. A most historic issue that also bridges the gap from medieval Europe to the Renaissance.
Maximilian likely had these issues struck as a gentle remembrance of his first wife, the late Mary of Burgundy, some time after the death of his second wife, Maria Bianca Sforza, perhaps around 1511. A silver medal (of perhaps 1479), commemorating the marriage, would have served as the prototype for these issues; cf. Lobbecke 404. Maximilian was 19 years old at the time of their marriage; Mary was 20.
Estimated Value $350,000 - 400,000.
Ex Gallereis des Monnaies & Spink, October 1973, realized 185,000 Sfr; Illustrated in Money of The World, coin 79.
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| Realized $632,500 |
