WAR OF THE SIXTH COALITION, Croatia. Zara (Zadar). Besieged by the British, 1813. AR 4 Francs 60 Centimes (40mm, 29.60 g, 10h). Dated 1813.

Triton XXV
Lot: 1305. Estimated: $ 2 000

Siege & Necessity Coinage, Coin-in-Hand Video, Silver

Sold For $ 2 250. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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WAR OF THE SIXTH COALITION, Croatia. Zara (Zadar). Besieged by the British, 1813. AR 4 Francs 60 Centimes (40mm, 29.60 g, 10h). Dated 1813. Crowned eagle standing left on thunderbolt, head right, with wings spread; ZAR to left, 1813 to right; all within diamond incuse / 1.0./4F 60C in two lines on tablet; all within incuse square. On edge: SB, SP and MF in three incuse squares. Korchnak 664; Maillet pl. CXXX, 3; De Mey & Poindessault 854; KM 1. Toned, diagnostic die break. Near EF. Rare.

From the Michael Cassick Collection of Siege and Emergency Coins, purchased from Mark Teller, April 2004.

During the late Napoleonic era, Zara (modern-day Zadar in Croatia) was part of the Illyrian Provinces, a group of states located between Austria and the Adriatic Sea. In the early 1800s, the area was held by Austria, which was embroiled in the Napoleonic Wars. After its defeat at the Battle of Wagram, Austria ceded the territory to France in the 1809 Treaty of Schönbrunn. In an attempt to take back its lost territory, in 1813 Austria declared war on France. When the Austrian General Franz Tomassich entered the Illyrian Provinces, many Croatian soldiers abandoned their French commanders and joined him. After a 34-day siege, the Austrians succeeded in capturing Zara from the French on 6 December 1813. This piece was produced by the French garrison that held the town during the siege. A similar example, appearing in Gorny & Mosch 123 (11 March 2003), lot 4589, realized €1700.

The final winners of all Triton XXV lots will be determined at the live public sale that will be held on 11-12 January 2022. Triton XXV – Session Four – Early Medieval & Islamic Coinage through Large Lots will be held Wednesday afternoon, 12 January 2022 beginning at 2:00 PM ET.

Winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 22.50% for all others.

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