Ducat 1998 Replica of Gold Ducat of Charles IV, Coin from Czech Republic - detailed information

The Gold Ducat is a signature format used by the Czech Mint to issue commemorative "rounds" which are not legal tender. Its size is slightly larger than one tenth of a troy ounce. The coin follows the format of the first Czech ducat coinage, introduced at the beginning of the reign of King Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor (in 1346).

This coin is a replica of a Charles IV ducat. It is a commemorative, marking the 620th anniversary of death of the Father of the Nation.

The first Czech gold coin, the so-called John of Luxembourg’s florin, was replaced by the first ducat coinage at the beginning of the reign of King Charles IV, Holy Roman Emperor (in modern Czech called Karel IV.). Unlike the florin, the ducat featured the bust of the king on one side and the Czech lion on the other.

Charles IV coined two types of ducats. This replica represents the first type (royal), featuring an effigy of the ruler as a young beardless man with the royal crown. The second type (imperial) depicts the bearded ruler with the imperial crown. The ducats follow the pattern of Italian coins called zecchino, which bore a shortened text in circumscription: “SITTXTEDATQTVREGISISTEDVCAT“, standing for “Sit tibi Christe datus quem tu regis iste ducatus“ (“O Christ, let this duchy which you rule be dedicated to you”, which seems to be a reference to Matthew 22:19-21). The name of the coin originated from the last word of the text.

Because of their high fineness (23 1/2 carat) and stable weight (3.5 g) ducats soon became a basic gold nominal tender in most European countries. However, for lack of local raw material, the Czech ducat was not as widespread as for example the Hungarian ducat.