1/2 Dukat - Christian V

Christian V's reign saw Denmark locked in ruinous conflict with Sweden — the Scanian War had ended in 1679 with the Treaty of Fontainebleau forcing Denmark to return conquered territory despite military success on the ground, a humiliation brokered by Louis XIV. By 1696, the kingdom's finances were still strained, and fractional gold issues like this half dukat were produced in limited quantities, largely for court presentation and diplomatic gift-giving rather than general commerce. Surviving examples from this date are scarce in any condition.