The 1702 Toruń ducat is one of the more puzzling coins in the history of Polish numismatics.
Not only does it represent a reminder of the last attempt to issue a gold coin in Toruń, a city that in the time of the Vasa dynasty even minted multi-ducat donations (as exemplified by the six-ducat from our former auction). It is also an issue whose real life begins only in the time of the son of Augustus II the Strong, as brilliantly recounted by Sergiusz Stube in the pages of Ducats of the Republic:
...Unfortunately, an unexpected turn in the Northern War meant that August II the Strong, famous for his love of money, did not visit the city. The coins were not minted, and the stamps were transferred to the city archives. To date, no ducat of this issue has been found in the treasury. No piece with a preserved original (as in the case of the Danzig ducat) mint mirror is available.
It is likely that the real life of the 1702 Toruń ducat does not begin until the reign of August III. Around 1750, due to the growing collectors' movement and the prevailing fashion, coins were minted on gold and silver discs, on clips and as prints on thalers. All known pieces were minted with more or less worn stamps, indicating that the ducats were not created from a fresh stamp and that this did not happen all at once. The numismats were minted again in the 19th century, being sold to collectors. Gumowski in his Mint of Torun mentions that probably a few pieces were initially minted(which seems logical). On the other hand, it must be firmly stated that no evidence of this has survived.
A beautiful coin. Well minted, no defects, with preserved freshness and beautiful background luster. Mint, as appreciated by NGC awarding the highest MS grade.
Huge rarity.
Listed on the Polish auction market only 3 pieces at the turn of 18 years: the first in 2000 at the WCN 21 auction, subsequently sold at the ANPN 2 auction (item 116 for 166,750 PLN), the second in weaker condition in 2012 at the ANPN 3 auction (item 113 for 63,250 PLN) and the last one (this one) at the GNDM 7 and 11 auctions.
A beautiful, very rare and equally interesting item.
