Country Of The Day: Austria, 1612 Markus Sittikus Graf Von Hohenems Gold 14 Ducats NGC AU58

Salzburg. Markus Sittikus Graf von Hohenems gold 14 Ducats 1612, KM-unlisted, Fr-700 (listed only as Rare), Probszt-unlisted, AU58 NGC. Obv. Leftward facing bust in clerical garment. Rev. Oval arms below legate's hat with St. Rupert and St. Vergilius facing at sides. A massive multi-ducat issue that, despite the certain complications of production, was made to a master's specifications. While being bold, the engraving maintains delicacy, and the strike rises to virtual completeness. Diagonal reeding adds a nice touch to the overall feel. The surfaces show even handling in the form of minor ticks throughout, and point to this piece, albeit for a short period, filling a commercial role. One hint to this fact lies in the tiny etching of "XIIII" just before the reverse legends, a certain quick-identifier of this, even at the time, very rare denomination.



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