A rare ducat of Sigismund III Vasa, struck at the Danzig mint in 1629.
The issue is highly rated in specialist numismatic literature and is assigned the rarity grade R5–R6 by Dutkowski.
The Danzig ducats of Sigismund III rank among the most impressive gold coins of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Danzig, one of the most important commercial and minting centres of the state, produced gold coinage of high artistic quality, distinguished by carefully executed royal portraits and elaborate civic heraldry.
The obverse features the bust of Sigismund III Vasa facing right, wearing a crown, the characteristic ruff and richly decorated armour. The portrait is surrounded by the royal titulature emphasizing the monarch’s claims to the crowns of Poland and Sweden.
At the bottom of the reverse are the initials S–B, referring to the Danzig mint official Stenzel Berman.
The year 1629 marked the final phase of the Polish-Swedish War over the Vistula estuary (1626–1629), a conflict of particular importance to Gdańsk due to the significance of Baltic trade and grain exports. The war ended that same year with the Truce of Altmark (Stary Targ).
The present example has a plugged hole. Despite this the principal elements of the portrait, legends and Danzig coat of arms remain clearly legible.
A rare and sought-after Danzig ducat of Sigismund III Vasa. An attractive gold issue from one of the most highly regarded mints of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Obverse: bust of Sigismund III Vasa facing right, wearing a crown, ruff and richly decorated armour.
SIGIS III D G REX POL M D L R PR
Reverse: coat of arms of Danzig supported by two lions, with decorative branches above and the initials S–B below.
MONETA AVREA CIVI GEDANENSIS
Gold, diameter 23 mm, weight 3.49 g
