POLAND. Livonia. Ducat, 1619. Riga Mint. Sigismund III. PCGS AU-58. Fr-5 (Latvia); H-Cz-Unlisted; Kop-8205 (R8); Kur-2542 (R8); Gum-1509. Weight: 3.49 gms. Obverse: Crowned and enrobed bust of Sigismund III right; Reverse: City gate of Riga supported by two lions; above, arms of the city. A Ducat that should make any Polish coin collectors heart skip a beat, this Riga Ducat couples tremendous <strong>RARITY</strong>, along with superb state of preservation. Riga had shifted from the Livonian Order to a free city under the Holy Roman Empire for a period of 20 years before it came into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth under Stephan Bathori in 1581. Maintaining status as a free city in the Commonwealth, Riga later came under the influence of Sweden in 1621 during the Thirty Years War. Riga was only part of the Commonwealth for two monarchs, a period of the utmost brevity. Correspondingly, all Polish gold coinage from Stephan Bathori and Sigismund III from Riga is of paramount import. This Ducat is nicely struck on the delicate golden planchet. No evidence of defect is seen, and essentially no circulation is present across the devices. Simmering and somewhat subdued luster still occasionally shines through, with pockets of more intense shimmer seen. Intriguing strike doubling is seen on the legends, only adding to the character of the piece. A Ducat that reaches across four centuries to convey a brief and historically important foray of Riga into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. An opportunity that one will not wish to miss, given the unlikely nature of this type being offered again in the near-term future. From the Anthony J. Taraszka Collection. <p>Ex: Triton IV (12/2000) Lot # 2254. <p>Ex: Giessener Munzhandlung 54 (04/1991) Lot # 1739.
