One of the cover highlights of the 17th Premium Auction.
A spectacular and at the same time extremely rare Bydgoszcz thaler of Władysław IV Vasa.
A thaler of this class appears on the auction market only once in a collector’s generation.
The royal bust is shown in a beautiful, richly ornamented suit of armor; flanking the shield are the initials G–G of Gabriel Gerloff, lessee of the Bydgoszcz Mint in the years 1640–1644. Within the chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece appear the initials BS, attributed to an unidentified engraver.
In the catalogue by Jan Dostych, the degree of rarity is classified as R6.
An example in an extraordinary, absolutely mint state of preservation, which in the case of thalers of Royal Poland already constitutes a rare event in itself.
An absolutely trophy-quality coin. The outstanding quality of strike—rarely encountered in an issue known for frequent weak strikes and planchet flaws—combined with fully preserved, mirror-like surfaces on both sides, allows this specimen to confidently rank among the finest preserved thalers of the Royal Poland period.
The grade assigned by NGC should be regarded as a misunderstanding—even a less experienced collector will readily recognize that the MS61 grade represents a significant undervaluation, all the more so as it is nevertheless the highest and only grade recorded in the census.
A cover thaler whose hammer price will be driven by emotion and the desire to own an absolutely exceptional coin. A specimen of this class not only adorns our auction, but will undoubtedly become a centerpiece of any distinguished collection it enters.
Auction-room excitement guaranteed!
