2 Ducats - Francis Josias Death of Christian Ernest

Francis Josias issued this two-ducat piece in 1745 to mark the death of Christian Ernest, who had ruled Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld since 1729. Memorial gold struck at the ducal level was never a routine production decision — it required direct authorization, a specific die commission, and mintage numbers that were almost always small. Most examples went immediately into the hands of courtiers, allied princes, or diplomatic recipients rather than commerce.

Christian Ernest died without leaving the duchy in notably improved condition, and Francis Josias himself would later gain far greater prominence as an Austrian field marshal during the Seven Years' War.