© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
1 Ducat "Contribution Ducat" Small clouds
1796 year| Gold (.986) | 3.5 g | 20.5 mm |
| Issuer | Free imperial city of Frankfurt (German States) |
|---|---|
| Period | Free City (1372-1866) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Year | 1796 |
| Value | 1 Ducat (3.5) |
| Currency | Thaler |
| Composition | Gold (.986) |
| Weight | 3.5 g |
| Diameter | 20.5 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#31099 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Inscription in seven lines within laurel wreath.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
AUS DEN
GEFÆSEN
DER KIRCHEN UND
BURGER
DER STADT
FRANCKFURT.
1796.
Translation: From the vessels of the churches and citizens of the city of Frankfurt.
Edge
Plain
Comment
Mint masters: Georg Hille and Johann Georg BunsenThree different dies were produced to mint these ducats. They can be distinguished by the size of the clouds on the obverse. KM likely refers to two of these dies when distinguishing the two types KM# 289 and . A copper trial strike is known for the die with the largest clouds.
The coin is also known as a contribution ducat (Kontributionsdukat), referring to the contribution made to the French army when it occupied the city of Frankfurt for one and a half months in 1796.
During the Napoleonic Wars, the French troops led by General Jean-Baptiste Kléber besieged the city of Frankfurt. After heavy shelling, the city capitulated on 16 July 1796. The French troops took seven councillors hostage and demanded six million francs in cash and two million in supplies. One-third of the ransom was to be paid in three days, the other two in ten days each. To be able to meet these demands, a public collection of precious metals was organised, and a large part of the council silver was melted down. The inscription on the reverse refers to the gold and silver vessels that were collected from the churches and citizens to satisfy the demands of the occupying army. The French were defeated by Archduke Charles at Amberg on 3 September, and they vacated the city on 8 September.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the 1796 Free Imperial City of Frankfurt 1 Ducat "Contribution Ducat" (Small Clouds) gold coin is that it was minted during a time of great economic and political change in Europe. The coin was issued as a response to the financial needs of the city, which was facing economic challenges due to the French Revolutionary Wars. The coin's design, featuring small clouds on the reverse, was meant to symbolize the hope for a brighter future and the idea of a "contribution" or donation to the city's economy. Despite its historical significance, the coin remains a rare and valuable collector's item, with only a few examples known to exist today.
