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Details about 4 ducat, gold
Austrian gold ducats were circulating coins up until 1857, which means the coins were legal tender. From 1858 to 1915, gold ducats were only officially produced as trade coins, that is, the coins were solely used for the trade of goods between different countries. That is why this re-release by Münze Österreich in the form of an investment coin bears the year 1915, the last time this coin was struck as a trade coin. The rare embossment of 1951 as the issue year is based on an error by the stamp cutter.
Design of the ducats
The design of the Austrian gold ducats was first used in 1872. The front face presents a portrait of Kaiser Franz Joseph I whilst the reverse bears the double-headed eagle, the heraldic bird of the King and Kaiser of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The one ducat gold coin has a fineness of 986 and diameter of 19.75mm with a fine weight of 3.44g, while the four ducat gold coin is twice as large with a diameter of 39.5mm and four times as heavy at 13.77g.
Coin background information
Gold ducats were first struck in Venice in 1284 and are prevalent all across Europe. The “ducat” name originates from the inscription on the reverse of this first mintage (Latin: “Si tibi Christe datus quem tu regis iste ducatus”; English: “O Christ, let this duchy, which thou rules, be dedicated to thee.”).
The Italian term for ducats is “zecchino”, which is derived from the Italian “zecca” for “mint”. The word “zecca” in turn originates from the Arabic “sikka” (“coin stamp”).
The ducat spread from Venice to the entire world through trade, making it the global trade coin in the 14th and 15th centuries.
Similar to the ducat was the gold guilder, although the ducat had a largely stable fineness compared with the guilder and therefore gained more general popularity.
Buy the 4 ducat, gold at philoro
We are always delighted to offer you our comprehensive advice about buying and selling gold coins. In addition to the gold ducat, you can find a selection of highly regarded fine gold coins from all over the world. We guarantee the highest level of quality for the gold coins we sell, and we work solely with globally recognised and established producers.
| Manufacturer | Münze Österreich |
| Item number | 1042 |
| Diameter | 39.5 mm |
| Thickness | 0.8 mm |
| Condition | bank standard |
| Fineness | 986 |
| Country of origin | Austria |
| Gross weight | 13.96 g |
| Fine weight | 13.77 g |
| Packaging | not encapsulated |
