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Auction: 4013 - Ancient, English, Foreign and Islamic Coins
Lot: 363

Germany, Prussia, Friedrich II "the Great" (1740-86), Speciestaler 1755 (Berlin), crowned and cuirassed bust right wearing ermine cloak, order to right of arm, e on arm (Tobias Ernst, mint-master 1754-68), d g fridericus borussorum rex, rev. eagle with fr monogram on breast within ornate crowned frame, sac rom imp archic et elect 1755, edge grained right (Dav.2592; Martin 253b; Neu.293; Old.369; v.Schr.1644b), grey-blue tone with much brilliance, border a little irregularly struck, very slight cabinet friction on some of the high points, otherwise virtually FDC, exceedingly rare and a most desirable example of this famous rarity Estimate £ 24,000-28,000 Only 3 examples remain of the original patterns struck in 1755, which had leaf design edges. The remainder were melted down as the King was not pleased with his portrait. 16 further specimens were posthumously officially struck from the original dies in 1787, including the present specimen. This issue bore grained edges. See illustrations on front and back covers

Sold for
£20,000