An exceptional Danzig donative of Sigismund III Vasa, representing one of the most prestigious and artistically refined gold issues in the entire Polish coinage of the 17th century. The piece was struck at the municipal mint in Danzig in 1614, from dies engraved by one of the most outstanding medallists of the era, Samuel Ammon.
Danzig donatives were not intended for circulation, but rather as ceremonial issues, struck as diplomatic gifts and marks of distinction for dignitaries and honored guests of the city. In the case of Ammon’s issues, it is also characteristic that pieces of increased weight (even 6–8 ducats) were produced as special presentation gifts.
The present type corresponds to the standard of a half-portugalöser (5 ducats), making it one of the most prestigious forms of representative gold coinage of its time.
The work of Samuel Ammon is regarded as one of the finest achievements of Northern European medallic art of the 17th century. Active in Danzig from 1613, the artist was renowned for his extraordinary precision in detail, visible in the refined rendering of the armor, the richness of ornamentation, and the highly realistic portrait of the king.
This donative represents a clear departure from the more schematic issues of earlier years, introducing a new level of artistic excellence in the municipal coinage of Danzig.
Examples of this type appear only sporadically on the market, most often in collections of the highest caliber, frequently with distinguished provenance (including former aristocratic collections).
Danzig donatives of Sigismund III Vasa represent the pinnacle of municipal gold coinage in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth and are comparable in rank to the finest European issues of the period.
The present type belongs to the most representative issues of the ruler and stands among the most important numismatic objects of the Vasa period, both in artistic and historical terms.
A museum-class piece, destined for the finest collections of Polish royal coinage.
Obverse: bust of the king right, crowned, in armor and cloak fastened with a fibula; on the chest the Order of the Golden Fleece; at the shoulder the initials S.A. (Samuel Ammon)
SIGISMVNDVS III D G REX POLONIAE MAG DVX LIT RVS PRVSSIAE
Reverse: arms of the city of Danzig supported by two lions; above, a decorative composition of palm and laurel branches; below the shield the initials S.A. and the date 16–14; additionally, in the ornament, the initials F.B. of an unidentified engraver
EX AVRO SOLIDO CIVITAS GEDANENSIS FIERI F
Gold, diameter 42 mm, weight 17.25 g
