1690-1751 Gold 10 Ducats St. George/Christ PCGS AU58

The Hungary 10 Ducats "St. George/Christ" coin originates from the late 17th to mid-18th century (circa 1690-1751), a period when the Kingdom of Hungary was under Habsburg rule.

The obverse features St. George on horseback slaying the dragon, with the Latin inscription "S·GEORGIUS·EQUITUM·PATRONUS" (Saint George, Patron of Knights) around the rim

The reverse depicts Jesus Christ with his apostles in a small ship on a stormy Sea of Galilee, corresponding to the biblical account of Christ calming the tempest. Legend often reads "IN TEMPESTATE SECURITAS" (Latin for "Safety in the Storm"), underscoring the coin's theme of divine protection in peril

Key features include:

• Struck at the Kremnica Mint (in modern Slovakia) under the direction of master engravers like Christian Hermann Roth (1645-1690) and his successors
• Although often described as medallic coinage, they were produced in official mints and circulated among nobility and military officers as talismans of protection and status
• Contemporary sources note that "the St. George coins of Kremnitz have always been carried to bring good luck to the owner and protect him from harm"
• Made of nearly pure gold (.986 fine), weighing approximately 34.5-35 grams (1.1+ troy ounces)
• Broad 44-49 mm pieces struck in high relief, bringing dramatic life to the waves and the dragon's scales
• Some examples bear a small "CHR" monogram (attributed to Christian H. Roth) beneath the dragon, or a KB mintmark for Kremnica, though others are unsigned (like this coin), indicating later 18th-century restrikes

These coins held special significance beyond their monetary value - they were often carried as powerful talismans combining both the chivalric virtues of St. George and the divine protection of Christ. While technically classified as a "10 Ducats" denomination, their status as presentation pieces and talismans makes them exceptional artifacts of Habsburg-era history and numismatic art

Both PCGS and NGC population reports confirm single-digit populations in AU58 and above, which means an advanced collector has very limited opportunities to acquire such a high-grade piece. The nearly pristine surfaces, sharp detail, and original luster make this coin exceptional for the issue, placing it among the elite survivors of this already rare type.