A prestigious gold vicariate issue of Augustus II the Strong, struck at the Dresden Mint.
Under the provisions of the Golden Bull, during a vacancy of the imperial throne, the Elector of Saxony assumed the office of Imperial Vicar in the territories governed by Saxon law. On this issue, Augustus II the Strong therefore appears simultaneously as King of Poland, Elector of Saxony and temporary administrator of part of the Holy Roman Empire. Holding this office emphasised the political prestige of the House of Wettin and the monarch’s elevated status.
The initials ILH at the bottom of the reverse refer to Johann Lorenz Holland, mintmaster of the Dresden Mint from 1698 to 1716.
An issue recorded only a handful of times at auctions in Poland and abroad.
Surface with traces of heat treatment.
Light surface hairliness. Some scratches on the reverse.
A rare vicariate double ducat of Augustus II the Strong, providing an impressive testament to his dual position as King of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Elector holding one of the highest offices of the Holy Roman Empire. An excellent opportunity to acquire a Polish double ducat at a price level unattainable for issues of the preceding monarchs, as well as a rare and visually impressive large-format gold coin.
Obverse: Augustus II the Strong, crowned and wearing armour, mounted on a rearing horse; below, a multi-field shield bearing the arms of Poland, Lithuania and Saxony.
Reverse: two tables bearing the royal and electoral insignia, with an ampersand between them; below, a multi-line inscription and the mintmaster’s initials ILH
FRID AUG / REX ELECTOR / & / VICARIUS / POST MORT IOSEPHI / IMPERAT / MDCCXI
Gold, diameter 26 mm, weight 6.87 g
