Unknown to the numismatic community both in Europe and in the U.S., this unique gold klippe piefort presentation piece surfaced in 2007 for the first time.

The German auction house of Künker featured this 2 Ducat in their June 2007 sale (#125, Lot #976). It was described as of the greatest rarity, and sold for the equivalent of $10,750 twenty years ago. It is unique to date, and is unlisted in every reference book including Keller, Erlanger, Krause & Friedberg. This coin is an extremely rare Gold Piefort, a presentation piece struck on a planchet with double the weight and thickness of a regular issue.

This was an astonishing price since at the same time, Nürnberg 2 Ducats dated 1700 and also struck from 1755-1764, featuring the famous design of the Paschal Lamb, were selling for around $1,000. This unique 2 Ducat klippe realized ten times that of a regular circulation strike round 2 Ducat.

The regular 1700 dated round 2 Ducat issued for circulation has a weight of 7 grams, with a composition of .986 gold and a diameter of 22 mm. Krause lists this as KM #259 with a catalog value of $1,650 in XF from 10 years ago. Friedberg lists this as Fr-1882 with a catalog value of $1,250 in EF.

The special issued non-circulation 1700 dated square 2 Ducat has a diameter of 30mm by 30mm and is considerably rarer. Krause lists this as KM #260 with a catalog value of $6,500 in XF from 10 years ago. Friedberg lists this as Fr-1884 with a catalog value of $7,000 in EF. Most known are damaged, bent, holed or scratched.

This unique presentation gold klippe piefort is twice the weight of a 1 Ducat and twice the thickness. Struck by 1 Ducat dies to the exact weight of a 2 Ducats, this piefort was designated by PCGS as a 2 Ducat denomination. Künker also cataloged it as such. The exact weight is 6.91 grams, with a diameter of 20mm by 20mm. It is in uncirculated condition with beautiful surfaces and fully struck with original gold and orange toning on both the obverse and reverse. It is dramatic and visually impressive since it wasn't struck on the larger diameter planchets used for the round 2 Ducats for circulation or the square 2 Ducat klippe pieces.

Fast forward to today, round 2 Ducats certified by NGC and PCGS in MS 61 through MS 63 sell from $9K-$23K. The square 2 Ducats mirrored the same meteoric rise in price as the round 2 Ducats. Square 2 Ducats certified by NGC and PCGS sell for more than the round ones because they are much rarer. Unfortunately, most known are damaged, bent, holed or scratched. Heritage Auctions has handled only one example and Künker has handled only four examples. The 2 Ducats dated 1700, whether struck in 1700 or in 1755-1764 sell for the same price.

Even rarer are 2 Ducats struck by 3 Ducat dies. Most known are damaged, bent, holed or scratched. Friedberg catalogs these as $5,000 in VF and $8,000 in XF. A round 3 Ducat struck by 2 Ducat dies is listed in Friedberg as 1881a and described as Unique. In 2026, it sold in a Frühwald auction (Auction 175, Lot 39) for EUR 16,605 ($19,427) including the buyer's commission. It is the size of a 2 Ducat, but it is on a heavier and thicker planchet with a weight of 10.45 grams (3 Ducat weight).

This amazing gold klippe piefort from Nürnberg stands alone as a unique presentation piece from a few centuries ago and belongs in a world class coin collection or in a numismatic museum.

NGC and PCGS certified round 2 Ducats sell from $9K-$23K in MS 61 through MS 63. Images Courtesy of Heritage Auctions (ha.com)

NGC and PCGS certified square 2 Ducats sell for more than the round ones because they are much rarer. Unfortunately, most known are damaged, bent, holed or scratched. Heritage Auctions has handled only one example and Künker has handled only four examples. Even rarer are 2 Ducats struck by 3 Ducat dies. Most known are damaged, bent, holed or scratched. Friedberg catalogs these as $5,000 in VF and $8,000 in XF. Images Courtesy of Heritage Auctions, NGC & PCGS

A round 3 Ducat struck by 2 Ducat dies is listed in Friedberg as 1881a and described as Unique. In 2026, it sold in a Frühwald auction (Auction 175, Lot 39) for EUR 16,605 ($19,427) including the buyer's commission. It is the size of a 2 Ducat, but it is on a heavier and thicker planchet with a weight of 10.45 grams (3 Ducat weight).