1 Ducat - Amand of Buseck
| Issuer | Fulda, Abbey of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1738 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 1 Ducat (1 Dukat) (3.5) |
| Currency | Thaler |
| Composition | Gold (.986) |
| Weight | 3.5 g |
| Diameter | |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | |
| Orientation | |
| Engraver(s) | Johann Nikolaus Dittmar |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | KM#87, Fr#1058, Schön DM#44 |
| Obverse description | Capped, draped bust facing right with surrounding legend. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering |
AMANDVS·D.G·S·R·I·PRIN·& AB·FVLD (Translation: Amandus Dei Gratia Sacri Romani Imperii Princeps Et Abbas Fuldensis = Amand, by grace of God, prince of the Holy Roman Empire and abbot of Fulda) |
| Reverse description | Helmeted ornate 4-fold arms, date below. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering |
VERITATE·ET·IVSTITIA N · 1738 · D (Translation: ND = Johann Nikolaus Dittmar) |
| Edge | |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
1738 ND - - |
| Numisquare ID | 2406706720 |
| Additional information |
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Historical Context: This 1738 Ducat was issued by Amand von Buseck, then Prince-Abbot of the Imperial Abbey of Fulda. Situated within the Holy Roman Empire, Fulda was a significant ecclesiastical principality, enjoying immediate imperial status. Amand's reign (1737-1756) marked a period of architectural and administrative development. This coinage, minted before Fulda's elevation to a Prince-Bishopric in 1752, underscores the Abbey's sovereign right to issue currency, a crucial emblem of its political and economic autonomy during the mid-18th century.
Artistry: The design adheres to the prevailing Baroque aesthetic common in German ecclesiastical states of the era. While a specific engraver is not commonly attributed for this issue, the style typically features a finely rendered bust of Prince-Abbot Amand on the obverse, often facing right, adorned with his ecclesiastical vestments. The reverse invariably displays the intricate armorial bearings of the Abbey and the Prince-Abbot, sometimes surmounted by a mitre or crown, encircled by legends detailing his titles and the date. The overall presentation is one of dignified authority and intricate detail.
Technical/Grading: Struck in .986 fine gold with a weight of 3.5 grams, this ducat exhibits the typical characteristics of 18th-century German gold coinage. High-points for wear or strike weakness are commonly observed on the highest relief elements of the portrait, such as the hair curls, ear, and the folds of the vestments. On the reverse, the uppermost elements of the armorial crown or shield are often susceptible to flatness. Due to the inherent malleability of gold, well-preserved examples typically retain good luster and sharp details in the fields, though full strikes can be elusive.