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Auction: 23004 - Ancient and British Coins - Featuring the 'White Rose' Collection
Lot: 206

Germany, Augsburg, Imperial Free City, temp. Karl VI, Holy Roman Emperor (1711-1740), 'Godparent Money' Octagonal Offstrike in Gold for a Heller and 'New Year's Day Angsterli' 1/4-Klippe Ducat, 1737, struck from dies engraved by Conrad Boerer, pinecone in vase [Das Stadtpyr], dividing 17-37, flanked by horse shoes (the symbol of Mintmaster Johann Christian Holeisen), rev. eight-limbed cross of flowers with rose at centre, on octagonal planchet, .986 Fine Gold, 0.85g [13.2grns], 12h (Nachfolger, Auction 370, 1 November 2001, lot 4530 same dies; Albert von Forster [1910], 507), brilliant, and much as struck, OF THE HIGHEST RARITY; only the second example offered at global public auction this Millennium, and first since 2001!

18th Century gold specie of Augsburg appears extremely rarely at auction, and is accordingly highly prized by specialist collectors. The attribution of these issues as official currency has long been questioned since Albert von Forster listed the type in his 1910 publication: "Die Erzeugnisse der Stempelschneiderkunst in Augsburg". It is evident from their condition and rarity that they were unlikely ever current in circulation. Consequently Friedrich von Schrötter (1930) has more accurately termed these issues as 'Goldabschlag vom Heller' or 'offstrikes in gold from Heller dies' on a weight standard consistent with a Quarter-Ducat [Viertel Dukatenklippe]. Past auctioneers fortunate enough to handle these curiosities have added: "Specimens were struck by the mint master to sell to private individuals, which were commonly used as gifts for godparents. Such strikes in gold were minted as New Year's money. The customer paid the metal value, the official cost of minting and a "benefit", which remained with the mint master as a welcome additional income. Godchildren would bring thanks to their godparents by gifting a gold 'Angsterli' on New Year's Day.

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Sold for
£1,900

Starting price
£650