Jan II Casimir, Donative weighing 4 ducats 1659 HL, Torun - rarity
During the reign of Jan Kazimierz, the city of Torun minted donatives in three issues in 1649, 1655 and 1659.
In 1558, Torun is recaptured from Swedish hands and returns to the rule of the Polish king. In 1959, by a decision of the City Council, the city mint begins minting donations weighing from 3 to 6 ducats, for the purpose of endowing the king and the magnates. For this purpose, stamps of 1655 were used on which the date was changed to 1559. In this auction we present one of this type of coin. An extremely rare 4 ducat donative minted in 1659 with a 1655 portrait and a date reworked from 1655.
Av.:
Bust of John II Casimir Vasa in profile to the right wearing a crown and cuirassier armor covered with a cloak. On the chest the Order of the Golden Fleece.
In the rim an inscription punctuated at the top with a crown: IOAN CAS D G REX POL ET SVE M D L R P
Rw.:
Panorama of Toruń with characteristic buildings and towers as seen from Dybowski Castle, with Bazar Island and Prussian Bridge visible. In the meadow, the date 16 - 59 separated by the initials HL (Hans David Lauer or Hans Jacob Lauer - mincers of the Torun mint) in ligature.
In the rim an inscription separated at the top by a triangle with the Eye of Providence: EX AVRO SOLIDO CIVIT THORVNENS FIERI F (from pure gold the city of Torun ordered to mint).
Date change from 1555 to 1559
Condition: 3/3+
Coin repaired hot. Traces of handling and cleaning visible in front and behind the king's head. Coin struck with corroded stamps, but fully legible and nicely preserved. Good detail. Despite some of the flaws described above, this coin is extremely rare and virtually unavailable on the collector's market. Perhaps the only opportunity to acquire this magnificent numismatic coin. Piece to adorn the most distinguished collections.
Recommended
Metal: gold
Weight: 33.83 g
Diameter: 36.8-37.7 mm
Thickness: approximately 0.98 mm
Literature: Dutkowski T91. (R7), Kopicki none, CNCT 1562 (R7), Friedberg none, Kaleniecki p. 453, Tyszkiewicz none
