LOT #30020 |
Current Bid: $75,000
Denmark: Danish Asiatic Company. Christian VII Piastre 1771-Dated (1774) MS66 NGC,...
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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
Metal: Silver
Diameter: 41.35mm
Estimate: $100,000 - $150,000.
View all of [The Eternal Collection ]
Auction Info
2026 January 12 NYINC World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction - New York #3129 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
January
12th
Monday
8:50 am CT
Auction Dates
January
12th
Monday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
26 Days
9h 59m 37s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 11
Lot Tracking Activity: 107
Page Views: 2,542
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
22% of the successful bid (minimum $29) per lot.
This lot is in: 1 -
Signature® Floor Session - The Eternal Collection (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 30001-30124) - 9:00 AM Central Time, Monday, January 12, 2026 (10:00 AM Eastern Time).
[Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session.]
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Additional Location Info:
InterContinental New York Barclay
111 East 48th Street
New York, NY 10017
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