A ducat of John II Casimir from the Thorn mint, struck in 1659, the first year of issue following a several-year hiatus in the production of this denomination at Thorn.
A variety with a single raised dot following IOAN at the beginning of the obverse legend and the initials HDL, referring to Hans David Lauer, mintmaster and administrator of the Thorn mint.
The ducats of Thorn rank among the particularly valued municipal issues of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The year 1659 fell during an exceptionally difficult period in the history of the state, in the final phase of the war with Sweden, which had caused enormous economic and demographic devastation. Thorn itself was recaptured from Swedish forces in December 1658, and the resumption of gold ducat production in the following year provides fascinating evidence of the revival of the city’s minting activity after a period of occupation and wartime disruption.
The present example displays good, well-defined detail and areas of lustrous fields. The surfaces, however, have been worked on and cleaned, resulting in a somewhat unnatural appearance in places. NGC confirms that the coin was formerly mounted and subsequently cleaned, grading the piece AU DETAILS.
A rare and interesting ducat from the first year of the resumed production of this denomination at Thorn. An ideal choice for collectors seeking to add a gold coin of John Casimir to their collection, particularly one from the highly regarded and popular Thorn mint.
Obverse: crowned bust of the king, right, with the Order of the Golden Fleece suspended on his chest
IOAN CAS D G R POL ET SVEC M D L R PR
Reverse: Angel holding a large, oval shield with the coat of arms of Thorn, on the sides the date 16-59 with the initials H D-L underneath
MONETA AVREA CIVIT THORVNENSIS
Gold, diameter 25 mm
