© Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Osnabrück and Lübke & Wiedemann KG, Leonberg
© Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Osnabrück and Lübke & Wiedemann KG, Leonberg
1 Ducat - Frederick William
| Gold (.986) | 3.49 g | - |
| Issuer | Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (German States) |
|---|---|
| Duke | Frederick William (Friedrich Wilhelm) (1692-1713) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1703-1704 |
| Value | 1 Ducat (3.5) |
| Currency | Thaler (1701-1814) |
| Composition | Gold (.986) |
| Weight | 3.49 g |
| Shape | Round |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#266313 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 97% |
Reverse
Allegory of a man and a women in a boat
Script: Latin
Lettering:
UNUM ET COMMUNE PERICLUM
1703
Comment
The couple in the boat is usually interpreted as Duke Frederick William and his wife Sophie Charlotte, daughter of Landgrave Carl of Hesse-Kassel. However, the marriage did not take place until January 2, 1704. Since our piece bears the date 1703, this explanation cannot be correct. In the Gaettens collection, it is therefore assumed that the lady is the mistress of the duke.Interesting fact
The 1 Ducat coin from the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, minted between 1703 and 1704, features an image of Frederick William, the ruling Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin at the time. The coin was made of gold with a purity level of .986, which is unusually high for a circulating coin. This suggests that the coin was intended to be a symbol of the duchy's wealth and power, rather than a practical means of exchange. It's worth noting that the coin's high gold content and detailed design make it a valuable collector's item today, with some examples selling for thousands of dollars at auction.
