Ducats ... Ducats ... Ducats

NGC flagged this as NOT GENUINE. It sure fooled me, though it looked too flat, too round and basically too good to be true.

The seller let me return it, whew...

PS - Conrad already sent me the info on spotting Russian ducats, but thanks anyway.

 

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It is the nicest I have ever seen.

 

Doug,
There should be some differences between a 1758 ducat and a double ducat though .... right?

 

It just proves that you are human Doug. We still respect you...

And I still don't own a double ducat, except several restrikes from the 1980's and 1990's. I love those.

Someday one will come my way.

 

These are gorgeous specimens. I don't buy too many gold coins, but here's one that I picked up about two months ago. This is a 1 Dukat trade coin from CZECHOSLOVAKIA dated 1926. The obverse shows the national name, state arms and date. The reverse shows Duke/Prince: Wenceslas I (921-935 AD) in armor with legend along the rim. This trade coin was minted from 1923 to 1938, and once more in 1951. Krause mentions there might be one issued in 1939, but only 256 were stuck.



CZECHOSLOVAKIA (REPUBLIC)~1 Dukat 1926

 

Thanks 'GDJMSP'. I loved the design on this coin too, and when I saw this at a good price, I bought it on the spot. This is one of my prized coins.

~Daniel

 

Very nice coins!! Thats for sure!!

 

The ducat is beautiful and your photos are professional quality. Nicely in focus and you got the lighting perfect. Looks like something from a Heritage catalog.

Maybe better!

 

Well its official now .. I am the proud owner:loud: So I'll go ahead and post my newest ducat

Russian 1849 Ducat
NGC PF 64 Cameo
St. Petersburg Mint



This is a very special and rare coin .... Why you ask ?

Well In my opinion:

• "1849" dated ducats were struck at St. Petersburg mint from 1849-1868 .... How many ?? .... 4,350,190 per St. Petersburg mint records. Seems like a lot yet you do not see a lot of these on the market !! A common coin in its day, remember that the ducat was the best known gold trade coin in its day and the Russian Armies and Imperial family traveled extensively through all of Europe and central Asia; therefore it was commonly melted to produce other gold coins, jewelry, etc. of the other countries.?? Mintage figures are very misleading at times and do not represent surviving numbers.
• In all my extensive reference materials (both book and internet) I can find no record of any "proof" ducat pre 1900 (Dutch or Russian). I can't find any record of any sold in all my over 100 world auction catalogs from the past 5 years.
• Now for a proof 1849 St. Petersburg ducat. Do they exist ? .... Obviously based on this specimen they do, but they have to be rare ... Could it have been a special proof presentation coin for the State Treasury or purse of the Russian Imperial family of Nicholas I or Alexander III ???
• As to whether or not this is a real proof strike coin vs. a proof-like commercial strike coin ... I posed the question to Mr. Rick Ponterio(Formerly owner of Ponterio & Associates & now with Bowers and Merena Auctions and a noted world coin expert) himself, asking him to review the coin in-hand and give me his opinion .... his email answer "In my opinion, this coin is a proof, and not a prooflike business strike. NGC has properly designated it as a proof."

I'm going to continue my research on this proof ducat and would welcome any input from those with something to contribute towards this end.

Enjoy .. I know i will:hail:!!!

 

SWEET! That is a gorgeous specimen. I love how you captured the image and toning in your photo. Thanks for sharing.

~Daniel

 

I wish I could take credit for the photo, but it was the auction photo:secret:

 

very nice addition

 

I love the specimens posted for this thread. Here is another coin from my collection. This is a gold Zecchino from CHIOS dating from 1415-1436 AD under Doge/Duke: Philip Maria Visconti of Venice. These had a very similar pattern to the Venetian Ducat, and are very scarce.



CHIOS~AV Zecchino 1415-1436 AD

 

BEAUTIFUL ducat Conrad, I had no idea the Russians minted proof examples of a design that they were for all intents and purposes counterfeiting.

I believe you are right that this was a special proof presentation coin, perhaps the only one left in existence.

Your ducat collection just keeps gets better and better...:kewl:

 

It's looking more like a headdress than a cowboy hat!

that is a fantastic ducat. One has to wonder how many survived.