SWEDEN. 3 ducats 1605 On the death of her mother Anna Maria von Anhalt, Vs.: crowned viefeldiges Wappen, Rs. : crowned multi-field coat of arms. 10.50 g. Gold, magnificent specimen of the greatest rarity. Min. minted, otherwise almost St. Anna Maria of Anhalt (1561-1605) was the eldest daughter of the Duke Joachim Ernst of Holstein (1536-1586). In 1577 she married Joachim Friedrich in Brieg, who became Duke of Brieg in 1586 after the death of his father. After his death in 1602 Anna Maria took over the guardianship over her underage children and at the same time the regency for the also underage sons Johann Christian and Georg Rudolf. She died, however, three years later, in 1605. In memory of them, the sons issued various coins worth 1/8 thalers to 10 ducats, all of which are extremely rare. The present 3 ducats piece was struck from the stamps of the corresponding half-taler. We are not aware of any other specimen found in the trade.