© 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 Guinea-Ducat
| Gold | 3.43 g | - |
| Issuer | State of Brandenburg-Prussia (German States) |
|---|---|
| Margrave | Frederick William (Friedrich Wilhelm) (1640-1688) |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Years | 1682-1686 |
| Value | 1 Ducat |
| Currency | Thaler (1618-1701) |
| Composition | Gold |
| Weight | 3.43 g |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Demonetized | Yes |
| Updated | 2024-10-05 |
| Numista | N#199097 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 100% |
Reverse
Full-rigged sailing ship on rough water to right. Two gusts of wind coming from clouds on the top left.
Script: Latin
Lettering: DEO DVCE · 1683
Comment
Guinea ducats (ship ducats) were minted in Berlin from African gold, between 1683-1696, after Friedrich Wilhelm founded the Großfriedrichsburg colony on the coast of Guinea in 1682. The minting costs were very high, but showcased a strong symbol of early colonization by a German prince. Krause mentions these coins were intended for trade with Guinea.
The coin in the main image (3.47g, Extremely Fine):
◦ Auctioned by Fritz Rudolf Künker GmbH & Co. KG, Auction 331, 30 January 2020, Lot 9. Sold for 20,000 EUR.
Interesting fact
The 1 Ducat coin was used as a means of payment for the Brandenburg-Prussian army during the Great Turkish War. It was valued at 1/4th of a Reichstaler, which was the standard currency of the Holy Roman Empire at the time. The coin's design featured an image of Frederick William, the "Great Elector," on one side and the Brandenburg coat of arms on the other. The use of gold in the coin's minting was a symbol of the wealth and power of the Brandenburg-Prussian state.
