View source for Austria 1813-A 4 ducats Fr-461

[[Image:Austria H3081-32088o.jpg|300px|thumb|Heritage sale 3081, lot 32088]]
[[Image:Austria H3081-32088r.jpg|300px|thumb|photo courtesy Heritage Auction Galleries]]

This specimen was lot 32088 in Heritage sale 3081 (New York, January 2020), where it sold for $33,600. The catalog description<sup>[1]</sup> noted, "[[Austria]]: Incredibly Preserved Gold 4 Ducat. Franz II (I) gold 4 Ducat 1813-A MS66 Prooflike NGC, Vienna mint. Truly stunning for its type, especially considering the relative softness of gold and the susceptibility of larger issues to marks and handling, this gem example demonstrates a level of preservation that might be considered appreciable for the much later 1915-dated gold restrikes of Franz Joseph I, but which is nearly unheard of for an original issue of the early 1800s. However, the utter quality implied by the gem grade is exactly what one sees in this admirable selection, revealing a bloom of golden mint frost over Franz's portrait, as well as the reverse double-headed eagle design, coupled with a lack of anything but the most minor instances of handling across the broad expanses of the mirrored fields. We would challenge anybody to find a better example of the type, for if it exists we have not seen it. From the Caranett Collection." Unlike the single ducat, which was issued from several branch mints, this type was struck 1811-15 at Vienna only.

''Recorded mintage:'' unknown.

''Specification:'' 14 g, 0.986 fine gold. 

''Catalog reference:'' KM 2177, Fr-461. 

''[[Bibliography|Source:]]''
* Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, ''Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1801-1900, 9th ed.'', Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
* Craig, William D., ''[[Germany|Germanic]] Coinages: Charlemagne through Wilhelm II,'' Mountain View, CA: 1954.
* Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, ''Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed.,'' Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017. 
* <sup>[1]</sup>Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Sam Spiegel, ''Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3081, featuring the Caranett Collection,'' Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2019. 

''Link to:''
* [[Austria 1810-A ducat Fr-464|1810-A ducat]]
* [[Austria 1824-A 4 ducats Fr-462|1824-A quadruple ducat]]
* [[Coins and currency dated 1813]]

[[Category:Selections from Heritage sale 3081]][[Category: Gold ducats of Europe]]