Lot 857
Switzerland -- Bern. Gold Ducat, 1741. Fr-172; KM-103; HMZ-214; Loh.-100. 3.42 grams. Crowned arms of bear emblem, within ornate cartouche; date below. Reverse: Four-line inscription within frame of arabesques, value at bottom. Devices lustrous, on mirror fields -- some modest hairlines on reverse; a few contact marks on obverse. NGC graded MS-62.
Bern was allegedly founded by Duke Berthold of Zahringen. In 1191, Berthold killed a bear nearby and named the city after the animal (a Baer) he had slain. The bear has become the symbol of the city, and a bear likeness can be seen on its coins. Bears are still kept in a pit (Baerengraben), which can be visited. The Swiss dialect spoken there is absolutely impossible to understand for all those but locals.
Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,500.
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| Realized $1,380 |
