拍品描述： AUSTRIA. Holy Roman Empire. 20 Ducats, 1637. Graz Mint. Ferdinand II. NGC MS-64+.cf. Fr-127 (for a 1636 example with similar post-mint "XX" stampings); cf. KM-822 (same); cf. Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien-529b&alpha; (same). Weight: 69.41 gms. Issued during the final year in the reign (and life) of Ferdinand II (<em>who would only live through the first six weeks of the year</em>), this tantalizing and wholly colossal gold denomination represents an unrivaled and seemingly <strong>UNIQUE</strong> opportunity. While efforts to locate another such specimen have proven fruitless, there is a parallel striking located in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, merely differing from the present specimen in that it dates to 1636 rather than 1637. That example, <em>just as is the case here</em>, features two Xs stamped post-minting in front of the emperors bust in an attempt to designate the otherwise unlisted denomination (<em>with respect to Ducat weight</em>). In fact, when one compares the dimensions of the "X" in the word "REX" to that of the two meant for the denomination, one sees that they are all a perfect match. As such, it is quite reasonable to assume that the "XX" stamping was done officially at the mint immediately post-striking. Another interesting fact is that the 1636 example is undoubtedly the product of Taler dies that were repurposed for the gold issue, as some re-engraved letters on its obverse allow for a direct link up to 1636-dated Talers. Here, however, no such parallel Taler dies could be uncovered, as only some minor coinage was dated 1637 for Ferdinand II. It is possible, therefore, that such multiple-Ducat denominations like this were produced with freshly-created Taler dies and, given the death of the emperor fairly early in the calendar year, crown-sized coinage was prematurely halted outside of Bohemia, and with this gold specimen being the only example to feature the otherwise unused Taler dies. An incredible offering that should no doubt excite the advanced collector of issues from the Holy Roman Empire, multiple-Ducat <strong>RARITIES</strong> from across Europe, or world gold stunners more broadly.