Denmark: Danish Asiatic Company. Christian VII Piastre 1771-Dated (1774) MS66 NGC,...

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Sold on Jan 12, 2026 for:

$414,800.00 Bid Source: Live: Phone bidder

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Description

The Famed "Greenland Dollar" in Gem Mint State

Danish Asiatic Company. Christian VII Piastre 1771-Dated (1774) MS66 NGC, Copenhagen mint, KM638, Dav-411A, Salvesen-51, Hede-21, Schou-6. "ISLAND" variety w/ small central crown. An incredibly rare, almost mythic Crown-type trade issue struck by the Danish Asiatic Company in an attempt to establish greater economic influence in Asia. The preferred trade coinage in Asia at the time was milled Spanish silver (often of Mexican origin), most notably the 8 Reales which featured the "Dos Mundos" globes and is sometimes referred to as the "Pillar Dollar". Capitalizing on the success of these Spanish designs, this Piastre employs a clear imitation of the "Pillar Dollar" motifs, one of the reasons this Danish production has been nicknamed the "Greenland Dollar" instead. The Greenland moniker comes from the representation of the three island territories of the Danish Empire amidst waves below the dual globes; "ISLAND" for Iceland, "FERÖ" for the Faroe Islands, and namely "GRÖNLAN" for Greenland.

This type was struck in three separate years; 1771, 1774, and 1777, however, all coins struck in 1774 were done so using dies from the 1771 issue. Original strikings from 1771 can be differentiated from the 1774 pieces by the presence of the "D" at the end of "ISLAN" for the Iceland notation. The original issues from 1771 are practically unobtainable with a current survival estimate of only five. The coin on offer is a 1774 production of the 1771 dated issue, not quite as rare as the originals but still excessively so, from a current survival pool of approximately twenty pieces. The bottom line is, any quality example of this type is a special piece of numismatic history and one of the most legendary and coveted coins ever produced.

On only one previous occasion has either of the 1771 dated emissions sold through Heritage, a 1774 struck piece graded MS63 by NGC in our NYINC sale in 2018. The specimen on offer here is clearly a superior example, a full three points higher on the NGC census, which places this piece as the sole-finest representative ahead of the aforementioned MS63 and only a single other problem-free contender graded MS62. Enveloped in a light gray patina, along with occasional pearlescent, turquoise and russet shades, this Gem presents wonderfully; though the bountiful, effervescent luster is the strength of the visual experience. Having previously been a highlight of historically renowned collections such as Millenia and Hesselgesser, and presently with Eternal, we are proud to assist in this fabled coin's journey to it's next heralded destination.

Ex. Millennia Collection (Goldberg Auction 46, May 2008, Lot 898); Hesselgesser Collection

From the Eternal Collection, Part III

Metal: Silver
Diameter: 41.35mm

View all of [The Eternal Collection, Part III ]

View Certification Details from NGC