A 1915 Ducat, Struck for a Century
The Austrian 1 Ducat is a small gold coin from the Austrian Mint in Vienna, carrying Emperor Franz Joseph I and the date 1915. It holds 0.1106 troy ounces of gold at .986 fine. The date stayed 1915 long after the Emperor and his empire were gone, so this is imperial Habsburg gold you can buy for its gold content rather than for a rare date.
Franz Joseph and the Habsburg Eagle
The portrait side shows Franz Joseph I facing right, his head wreathed in laurel tied with a ribbon at the back, with the thick side whiskers he was known for. The legend FRANC IOS I D G AVSTRIAE IMPERATOR reads “Franz Joseph I, by the grace of God, Emperor of Austria.” On the other side, the arms of Austria sit on a crowned double-headed eagle, with the imperial crown above. Its legend lists the rest of his titles: King of Hungary, Bohemia, Galicia, Lodomeria and Illyria, and Archduke of Austria. Both sides were engraved by Friedrich Leisek, and a ring of beads runs inside the rim.
Why Every Coin Says 1915
Franz Joseph died in 1916, in the middle of the First World War. The Austrian Mint kept striking the ducat afterward but froze the date at 1915, so most ducats with that date are official restrikes rather than wartime coins. Production paused during the Second World War, resumed in the 1950s and continues today. The striking year cannot be told from the coin, so a ducat dated 1915 may have been made decades later, with the same weight and fineness.
Know the Weight
A genuine ducat weighs 3.49 grams at .986 fine. That number is the best check you have: NGC has documented a counterfeit 1915 ducat that came in underweight at 3.29 grams, with no gold in it. Our Specifications tab lists these coins as AU, almost uncirculated, which is our description of their condition, not a third-party grade. Expect a bright coin with light wear at most on the high points.
Austrian 1 Ducat Specifications
Each coin weighs 3.49 grams, is .986 fine gold and holds 0.1106 troy ounces of pure gold. It measures 20 mm across and 0.8 mm thick, with a reeded edge and a 1 Ducat denomination. Full current details are on the Specifications tab above.
Austrian 1 Ducat FAQ
Was my coin actually struck in 1915?
Almost certainly not. The Austrian Mint has kept striking the 1915-dated ducat as an official restrike for about a century, and the year it was made is not marked on the coin.
How much gold is in a 1 Ducat?
0.1106 troy ounces of pure gold, in a coin weighing 3.49 grams at .986 fine.
Is the Austrian 1 Ducat IRA eligible?
No. Gold in a precious metals IRA has to be at least .995 fine, and the ducat is .986. Buy it for a personal collection, not for an account.
What does the Latin on the coin say?
The portrait side reads “Franz Joseph I, by the grace of God, Emperor of Austria.” The eagle side lists his other titles: King of Hungary, Bohemia, Galicia, Lodomeria and Illyria, and Archduke of Austria.
How can I tell a ducat is genuine?
Weigh it. A genuine ducat is 3.49 grams, and NGC has recorded a fake at 3.29 grams. Buying from an established dealer is the simplest protection.
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brittany d (verified owner) –
1915 restrike, in exc condition, looks newly minted. really happy with this purchase!!
window_screens78 (verified owner) –
Disappointed. I received a 1915 restrike coin. This is not stated as a restrike in description of coin. The coin is nice looking but not what I was wanting.