I have a possibly fake austrian ducat from 1904 with the following variations: Instead of Franc Ios it says Franz Jos Instead of Austriae Imperator it says Austriale Imperator the weight and size appear to be close to what the real coin should be. Anyone heard of these and what the value might be? I already lost hope that it's real gold. Jeff
Howdy Poruchik - Welcome to the Forum !! I must admit - that's a new one on me. Based on what you say I agree it is a fake. As such it may have no value at all. But if the size & weight are close to the genuine article as you say - it may have some gold value. What is the size ( thickness as well as diameter ) & weight ?
Size is close to the description in the Krause - diameter 10.5 mm, thickness about 2mm, weight 3.5 grams or so (I don't have very precise equipment). Scan attached.
Unless the color is off on your photo. It looks fake to me. The color is too dark and coppery. Also, the highpoints look slightly silvery. But, as a struck contemporary counterfeit it is probably worth $10 or so on eBay.
That seems odd to me... why would anyone go through the trouble of faking an austrian ducat? they are not particularly rare, nor awfully expensive.
Back in the days when it was worth a week’s labor (or more?), it was worth it to counterfeit as money. As we speak, people are counterfeiting Sacky dollars in Columbia so they can spend them in Ecuador where they are legal tender. Also, modern forgeries of the current pound coin in Britain are a huge problem (some estimates place the % of fakes in circulation at 1% of the total pound coins). A large scale operation can make thousands of these coins and then the profit adds up.
1904 Austrian ducat is 3.5 grams of 98% gold.... and expensive enough ($125 in Krause for an XF coin)
I think they are wonderful coins - one of my favorite reverse designs. I have two myself (four if you include two 1915 restrikes). Maybe I'm way off base - because I don't know much about fake coins...
Well sure enough it's a fake. The correct diameter should be 21mm. But I don't understand the weight being what it is if the coin is only half the size it should be. For 3.5 gm is the correct weight
Now that makes more sense. It doesn't change anything regarding the coin being fake - that it is a given based on the legends. But it does help explain the possible origin of the coin and makes your situation not so bad after all. I would be willing to bet that the coin was made in one of the counterfeit factories located in the middle east. They commonly used real gold to make the coins, but either made them slightly smaller or used gold of a lesser finess to make their profits. Do this with literally millions of coins - and you make a lot of money. So - given the size and weight - the coin is likely gold. But it would have to be assayed to determine the melt value. But either way - it's gonna be less than $50. Better than nothing.
what was the original ducat made of gold or silver. my 1752 ducat is made of silver. the diameter is 20mm but i dont know the weight yet.
Traditionally its a gold coin but there were also silver ducats minted in some European nations. I could be wrong but the Royal Dutch Mint still issues silver ducats.
Just found this thread now. Replicas of 1752 "ducats" in yellow or white metal (not silver or gold) were made by Reader's Digest in the 1970s or thereabouts as promotional items and regularly turn up - yours is very likely one of these. Martin NZ
Well, I have 1 ducat too. Its from year 1904. I think it's fake. It has 4 cm diameter. I don't know. Is it worth anything? Thanks for answer.
