© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
Ducat - Placidus von Zurlauben silver trial
1720 year| Silver | 3.74 g | - |
| Issuer | Abbey of Muri (Aargau) |
|---|---|
| Abbot | Placidus Zurlauben (1684-1723) |
| Type | Pattern |
| Year | 1720 |
| Value | 1 Ducat |
| Currency | Ducat (1720-1726) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 3.74 g |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-07 |
| Numista | N#186677 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Triple helmeted coat of arms of the Zurlauben family. Left helmet with flag-bearing wolf crest; middle helmet with crosier and mitre crest; and right helmet with wolf crest. Inescutcheon with coat of arms of the Abbey.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
IVBILÆVS . ÆT . LXXXIV . REGIM . XXXVI
+ 17 20 +
Engraver: Hans Jakob Gessner
Comment
Off-metal strike of HMZ #2-12a. 2 to 4 known pieces (R4 rarity)Probably minted in Zürich. Issued for the 50th anniversary of the Abbot's ordination to the priesthood at the age of 74 and in the 36th anniversary of his rule.
Muri Abbey was a Benedictine monastery between 1027 and 1841. It was founded by the Habsburgs and dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours. It flourished for over eight centuries in Muri, Canton of Aargau, near Basel, Switzerland. Emperor Leopold I raised Abbott Placidus von Zurlauben (1684-1723) to the rank of prince of the Holy Roman Empire in 1701. He spent a vast sum of money in rebuilding and embellishing the monastery, the church, and the ancient mausoleum of the imperial family. The possessions of the monastery were spread on a wide radius, as far as South Germany.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Pattern Ducat - Placidus von Zurlauben (silver trial) 1720 from Abbey of Muri (Aargau) is that it is a rare and unique coin, with only a few specimens known to exist. It is considered a trial strike, meaning that it was not officially released into circulation, but was instead produced as a test or sample. This makes it particularly valuable to collectors and numismatists.
