2019-01-04 Fri

The 47th Annual New York International Numismatic Convention (NYINC) will take place from 11th to 13th January. 115 dealers would be offering several interesting coins and banknotes at the sale. Stack’s Bowers Galleries will also be offering valuable items at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, New York. Educational lectures from the Ancient Coin Collectors Guild (ACCG), Association of Dedicated Byzantine Collectors, Medal Collectors of America, New York Numismatic Club, American Association of Young Numismatists and many others will also be organised.

One of the highlights would be a rare 8 Ducats coin from the Canton of Bern in Switzerland that was issued in the year 1798. Some people believe that Duke Berthold waited for the first animal to cross his path during his next hunt, and named the city after that animal. A bear crossed his path and hence it was featured on the official Coat of Arms of Bern since 1220. A bear pit was made towards the end of the old city for keeping live bears from 15th century.

The obverse side of the offered coin features a bear walking on a diagonal band. The band is positioned on a crowned shield between laurel sprays. A text reads “RESPUBLICA BERNENSIS” which translates to "Republic of Bern".

The reverse side features the legend “BENEDICTUS SIT IEHOVA DEUS”, which translates to “Blessed be Jehovah God”. A laurel wreath surrounds the inscription “VIII / DUCAT / 1798”, written in three lines at the centre. The outer legend starts and ends with a four-petal rosette.

These coins were issued only for two years between 1796 and 1798. Graded NGC MS-63, no other coin of this type has been graded by NGC or PCGS. The coin features beautiful orange toning, minute designs and great lustre.

Image Courtesy: Stacks and Bowers Galleries