Nomos 5

Denmark. Frederik III. 1648-1670. Double Ducat in a contemporary gold circular mount with a suspension chain, two pearl pendants and a probably later (18th century?) silver gilt cross (Gold, 31mm, 12.24 g 9), a so-called Guinea Ducat, made from gold brought back from western Africa by the Danish fleet, and struck from dies cut by Johann Blum of Bremen, Copenhagen, 1658. FRIDERICUS:III:D:G:DANIÆ:NORWEGIÆ Crowned, draped and cuirassed bust of Frederik III to right. Rev. VANDALOR:GOTHOR:Q:REX Sailing ship on the waves of the sea to left between tan dem “at last”; in exergue, 16 58 and a mint mark of a pick. Friedberg 112. Hede 28A. KM 216.1. Very rare, only 100 of these double ducats were struck, all from ‘Guinea’ gold. Soldering marks from having been turned into a pendant, and with polished fields, otherwise, from the point of actual wear, about extremely fine.

This rare coin was turned into an attractive pendant soon after it was struck. The 17th century jeweler first made a ring out of a thick gold wire twisted into a rope pattern; this was then fitted around the edge of the coin and permanently soldered in place. There are damages, probably due to overheating, on the reverse of the coin with the ship, though this was clearly not meant to be seen. The obverse, with the king’s bust, was very carefully protected during manufacture and must have been the side intended to be displayed. On the upper edge of the mounting ring are three small annulets which are each connected to small gold chains that link together with a suspension ring. These would allow the pendant to either hang from a chain or be used, with a pin, as a brooch or medallion. On the bottom of the mounting ring are a further three annulets: two holding pendants each made from two fresh water baroque pearls, and a central one supporting a small Latin cross of gilt silver with a pearl mounted at its center (this cross is apparently later in date than the rest of the pendant and was probably used to replace a jewel that was originally hung here).