Rare and prestigious gold issue, struck at the Dresden Mint during the interregnum following the death of Emperor Joseph I (1711). As Elector of Saxony and King of Poland, Augustus II the Strong served at that time as Imperial Vicar, a role emphasized by the inscriptions on the reverse. A ceremonial coinage of low mintage, it belongs to the most sought-after pieces within the corpus of vicarial coinage.
During the so-called imperial vacancy (vacatio imperii) following the death of Emperor Joseph I Habsburg, Imperial law vested supreme temporary authority in the Reichsvikare (Imperial Vicars). These were prince-electors who acted as “guardians” of the Empire until the election of a new emperor.
Between 1711 and 1712, this office was held, among others, by Frederick Augustus I—Augustus II the Strong (1670–1733), Elector of Saxony and King of Poland. His vicarship symbolized the prestige of the Wettin dynasty and underlined their significant role in the politics of the Empire and Central Europe.
Vicarial coins (thalers, ducats, and also medals) served a strong propagandistic function, portraying the electors as depositaries of imperial rights and guardians of the order of the Empire. Struck in both silver and gold, always in small numbers, they are today rare and highly prized among collectors.
A beautiful example of a vicarial ducat, hard to find in such fresh and outstanding condition.
Seldom recorded denomination of the first vicarial issue of the Polish king, Augustus II the Strong, here in excellent preservation. A very strong recommendation for collectors of Polish and German ducats.
Obverse: Armored rider (Augustus II the Strong) on horseback, with the Saxon coat of arms below.
Reverse: Inscription, flanked by two imperial thrones with insignia: scepter and sword.
FRID: AUG: REX ELECTOR & VICARIUS POSTMORT: IOSE: IMPERAT: MDCCXI
Gold, diameter 22 mm, weight 3.47 g.
