1 Ducat

Historical Context: Stralsund, a Hanseatic city, issued this 1 Ducat between 1662-1666. Following the Treaty of Westphalia (1648), Stralsund became part of Swedish Pomerania. Despite Swedish suzerainty, the city retained significant autonomy, including the right to mint its own coinage. These ducats symbolized Stralsund's enduring economic power and its role as a key Baltic trading port, facilitating high-value transactions in an era of post-war recovery and shifting European powers.

Artistry: The artistry of this ducat reflects the prevailing Baroque aesthetic, interpreted through a distinct Hanseatic civic style. While specific engravers are rarely recorded for municipal issues, the design typically features the Stralsund griffin on the obverse, often with a crown or within an ornate shield. The reverse commonly displays a complex legend detailing the city's name and title, sometimes encircling a cruciform or orb motif. The execution generally emphasizes clarity of heraldic elements and legibility, characteristic of a coin for widespread commercial use.

Technical/Grading: Technically, this 1 Ducat, weighing 3.49 grams and struck in .986 fine gold, exhibits qualities typical of early modern hammered coinage. High-points for wear or strike weakness include the griffin's head, wings, and claws, as well as any raised elements within the legend or ornate borders. Due to the softness of high-purity gold, well-preserved examples often show sharp details, though hand-striking can result in planchet irregularities, off-centering, or variable strike pressure. A strong strike is indicated by full detail on the griffin's musculature and crisp legend lettering.