Lot 516
Austria -- Zara. 9 Francs 20 Centimes (2 Ounce), 1813. Dav-48; KM-2. 59.1 grams In the center of a plain field an incused diamond with a crowned eagle in the center, flanked by ZARA and 1813. Reverse: Incused diamond with value. Three stamps on edge. Virtually as struck. Very rare this nice. NGC graded AU-58.
Zara was from Roman times an important trading port on the eastern Adriatic coast, in what is today's Croatia. In the Middle Ages the city was incorporated into the Republic of Venice's growing mercantile empire, lasting until 1797, when it was destroyed by Napoleon. The French then maintained control of the area until their reversals of 1813 brought back the Austrians as besiegers. The French defenders issued three necessity pieces of unusual values: 4 francs - 60 centimes; 9 francs - 20 centimes; and 18 francs - 40 centimes. All are rare.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000.
Ex Irving Goodman Collection.
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| Realized $6,038 |
