1852 Quadruple Ducat of Sweden

For reasons unknown a small number of Swedish coin sets were produced in 1852. It was possibly as few as four, of which only one set is still intact and housed in the University Coin Cabinet in Oslo.

What’s special about them is that the 4 and 2 Ducats and the ½ and ¼ Riksdalers were only produced for these sets, making them incredible rarities. The 4 Ducat, the flagship of the set, weighs just under 7 grams and is one of the most highly coveted Swedish coins. Four known: one in Oslo (as previously mentioned), one in the Museum in Stockholm, and two in private hands.

One of those private owners was Danish butter tycoon Lars Emil Bruun (1852-1923). He acquired the coin along with thousands of others when, in 1922, he purchased the Countship of Brahesminde Collection, one of the biggest Danish collection of coins ever amassed, second only to Bruun’s own.

Kept from the auction block for 100 years, bound by the final will of Lars Emil Bruun, this golden treasure is but one of the more than 20,000 coins and medals, Stack’s Bowers Galleries has been chosen to sell. The series of L. E. Bruun auctions are well under way, and a great number of rarities have been sold at incredible prices. Many more are still to come, however, including the 1852 4 Ducat – which is graded MS-61 and is the finest of the two privately held pieces.

The collecting community has been eagerly awaiting the sale of the quadruple Ducat, and we are happy to announce that will be offered at the L. E. Bruun Part V sale, held in Copenhagen on October 27 and 28 of this year.

It will be accompanied by a powerful selection of Swedish coins, ranging from those of Olof Sköttkonung all the way up to Mint State coins of the 19^th century, and an impressive selection of rare 17^th century medals in top conditions.

As have the other Bruun auctions, this sale will also feature many rare and beautiful Danish and Norwegian coins and medals. Stay tuned, as we approach October, we may provide another ‘sneak peek’ of the sale.