DENMARK. Portugaloser (10 Ducats), 1659. Copenhagen Mint. Frederik III. NGC AU-55.
Fr-123; KM-PnH16; Hede-99; Sieg-52; Schou-2; Aagaard-74.1 (59-E1/59-E1); Bruun-6273. Weight: 34.78 gms. Mintmaster: Henrik Köhler. An absolutely amazing example of this commanding issue. Exhibiting only minimal handling, and retaining much of the stunning bright eye appeal throughout. Nearly fully detailed, signs of wear are hard to locate, and the piece certainly presents quite well. This iconic type, of which the only other example known is in the National Museum of Denmark, was struck to commemorate the failure of the Swedish king, Carl X Gustav, to capture Copenhagen. The monogram of King Frederik III is shown above a stone with the text EBEN EZER, referring to the Old Testament (1 Samuel 7:12) in which Samuel erected a "stone of help" (Eben-ha-Ezer) between Mizpah and Jeshanah to honor the Lord for his help in securing the Israelites a victory over the Philistines. The latin inscription on the reverse, SOLI DEO GLORIA, is another tribute to God ("To God alone be the glory") while the dramatic design shows the hand of God (Manus Dei) severing the hand of the Swedish king with the sword of justice as he reaches out for the Danish crown. It has been suggested that the very rare pieces struck in gold might have been used as distinctions given to officers in the civic guard who had distinguished themselves during the siege.
From the L. E. Bruun Collection. Ex: Countship of Brahesminde Collection (Private Sale - 1922). Ex: Peter Pedersen Collection (Private Sale - Before 1861).

Estimate: $150000