$38,813.00 USD
The 1769 Gold Medal of 5 Ducats, Leipzig, graded NGC MS64 Prooflike, is a monumental 18th-century numismatic tribute struck to honor the economic and civic significance of the city of Leipzig. Designed by the distinguished medalist Johann Leonhard Stockmar, this large-format gold issue combines neoclassical portraiture with rich allegorical symbolism, making it one of the most desirable German medals of its type. It is the Finest Known certified example, further enhancing its stature.
Obverse: Features a sharply detailed right-facing bust of a civic or noble figure (possibly a local dignitary or personification of civic virtue), with fine drapery lines and classical styling. The signature “ST” appears below the bust truncation, referencing Stockmar.
Reverse: Depicts a full-length allegorical female figure representing Leipzig, standing and holding a caduceus (symbol of commerce) and a laurel branch (symbol of honor and peace). She sacrifices at an altar — a classical motif denoting civic piety, public duty, and prosperity. The composition is bold and richly engraved, capturing the neoclassical ideals of the Enlightenment era.
Struck in .986 fine gold, the medal has a substantial weight of 17.34 grams and a diameter of 30.3 mm, equivalent to five ducats — a format rarely used for city medals and typically reserved for major commemorations or high-ranking presentations. The surfaces exhibit prooflike reflectivity, with deeply mirrored fields and sharply frosted devices.
Graded NGC MS64 PL, this specimen displays razor-sharp strike detail, full reflective brilliance, and minimal contact — an elite condition level for a pre-1800 gold medal. No examples are known in higher grades at NGC as of this writing.
