1 Ducat - Gold - Various years

The Austrian 1 Gold Ducat is one of the smallest common investment gold coins in Europe. It contains 3.44 g of fine gold, at 986 thousandths, and its price follows the gold market: it is this weight of gold, rather than the year, that determines its value.

Its small size allows you to enter the physical gold market with a modest budget and then add coins over time. When the time comes, you can sell a single ducat without having to sell a heavier coin or a bullion bar.

Gold Ducat technical specifications

• Purity: 986 thousandths (23.66 carats)
• Total weight: 3.49 g
• Fine gold: 3.44 g
• Diameter: 19.75 mm
• Face value: 1 ducat (trade coin)
• Country of issue: Austria (Vienna Mint, now Münze Österreich)
• Condition: circulated, various years (mostly restrikes dated 1915)

History of the Austrian Ducat

The ducat is a gold coin that originated in Venice in 1284 and spread throughout Europe as a major trade currency. Austria began minting them in the 16th century. The ducat was an official means of payment there until 1858, after which it continued to be minted as a trade coin until the First World War.

Subsequently, the Vienna Mint continued its production in the form of official restrikes, all dated 1915, the last year of historic minting. They feature the portrait of Emperor Franz Joseph I and have the same weight and purity as the original coins. The ducat is also available as a 4-ducat coin, which is four times heavier.

How to recognize an Austrian Ducat?

The obverse shows the laureate head of Emperor Franz Joseph I, surrounded by the Latin legend "FRANC IOS I D G AVSTRIAE IMPERATOR" (Franz Joseph I, by the grace of God, Emperor of Austria). The reverse bears the crowned double-headed eagle of the Habsburgs, holding a sword and orb, with the date 1915 and the rest of the Emperor's titles (King of Hungary, Bohemia, Galicia, etc.).

Checks are carried out on the weight (3.49 g), the diameter (19.75 mm), and the sharpness of the engraving. Being nearly pure, the gold of the ducat is soft: slight marks from handling are common and do not affect its investment value. Our experts perform these checks on every coin before it is put on sale.

Why invest in the Gold Ducat?

• Nearly pure gold: 986 thousandths, or 23.66 carats, one of the highest purities for historical coins.
• A small budget: 3.44 g of fine gold, for investing and reselling in small quantities.
• An official standard: restruck by the Austrian State Mint, with constant weight and purity.
• A well-known coin: the Austrian ducat is easily identified by European dealers.

A checked, "tradable" Ducat, ready for resale

The Gold Ducat is sold for the gold it contains. Its price follows the price of gold, plus an investment premium. As investment gold, it is exempt from VAT in Belgium.

• Checked as "tradable": each coin is verified by our experts (authenticity, weight, purity). It has no defects that would prevent its resale as investment gold: no holes, solder, traces of mounts, or excessive knocks or wear.
• Ready for resale: when you resell it, it is accepted for buyback as investment gold, based on its fine gold weight. We guarantee its buyback at any time.

Year and condition of your Gold Ducat

This product is sold in "various years": the actual minting year and appearance vary from one coin to another and cannot be chosen; most coins bear the date 1915. These are circulated coins that have already had one or more owners: slight signs of wear or patina are normal and do not affect their investment value, which is calculated based on their fine gold weight. Photo for illustrative purposes only.

How to store your Gold Ducats?

For a gold coin to retain its full resale value, a few simple precautions are sufficient:

• handle it by the edge, ideally using cotton gloves;
• never clean it: cleaning products and rubbing will scratch the gold and may complicate its resale;
• store it in a capsule or individual case, away from humidity and shocks;
• keep your purchase invoice, as it is useful at the time of resale.

Frequently asked questions about the Gold Ducat

How much gold does a Ducat contain?

A Ducat weighs 3.49 g and contains 3.44 g of fine gold, at 986 thousandths. It is this gold weight that serves as the basis for its purchase and resale price.

Why are most ducats dated 1915?

These are official restrikes from the Vienna Mint, which kept the 1915 date on its later mintages. They have the same weight and purity as the original coins and are traded in the same way, based on their gold content.

Can I choose the year?

No. This product is sold in various years: you will receive a Ducat selected from our stock, which always contains 3.44 g of fine gold.

Is the Gold Ducat subject to VAT?

No. In Belgium, as in the entire European Union, the Gold Ducat is classified as investment gold, which is exempt from VAT.