The ducat, whose origins date back to medieval Italy, was first minted in Austria in the early 16th century. Although they lost their status as legal tender in 1857, the 1- and 4-ducat coins were used as commercial coins until 1915—the year stamped on these beautiful modern reissues.
Although the coin’s design was first minted in 1872, the year engraved on its reverse side serves as a reminder that the economic constraints caused by World War I led to the suspension of gold coin minting in 1915—at least temporarily. That year also marked the year before the death of Emperor Franz Joseph, who ruled the Austro-Hungarian Empire for 68 years—one of the longest reigns of any monarch in modern history. His profile adorns the coin’s magnificent obverse.
Reissues of the ducats are available in denominations of 1 or 4 ducats.
Münze Österreich, or the Austrian Mint, ranks among the world’s leading mints. It strikes all of Austria’s circulation coins as well as prestigious collector coins and medals
Throughout the mint’s history, a vast array of minting methods has been used. For example, until the 16th century, a hammer was used for minting, followed by roller, rocker, and screw presses. From 1830 to the present, a ring-type coin press has been used for minting, which is currently capable of striking up to 750 coins per minute.
Over the years, several other mints were established in Austria—for example, in Graz, Krems, Salzburg, and Innsbruck. In 1918, when the Republic of Austria began to take shape, the Vienna Mint became the main mint for Austria. It has retained this status to this day.
Coins from this mint are sought after by investors and collectors around the world. One of the Austrian Mint’s most internationally recognized coins is the Maria Theresa Taler. It was first issued in 1780, the year the empress died. Today, it is the most famous silver coin in the world and also the coin with the highest mintage. Another well-known coin is the gold investment coin called the Wiener Philharmoniker.
Among other things, Münze Österreich also supplies gold investment bars, which are produced for it by the Argor-Heraeus S.A. refinery, in which it also holds a one-quarter stake.
