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1 Ducat - Louis VIII
| Issuer | Hesse-Darmstadt |
|---|---|
| Year | 1741-1753 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 1 Ducat (3.5) |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
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| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
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| Reverse description | A rampant lion to the left, depicted in the Hessian heraldic tradition, grasping a shield of arms in its forepaws and a sword in its right paw. The date, expressed in Roman numerals, appears in the exergue. The legend PRO PATRIA is inscribed along the upper periphery, expressing dynastic and patriotic sentiment. |
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| Additional information |
Louis VIII ruled Hesse-Darmstadt from 1739 until his death in 1768, but his tenure was financially precarious — the landgraviate carried chronic debt, and his court at Darmstadt was maintained at a scale the territory could barely support. Ducat issues of this period were produced primarily for diplomatic gifts and trade rather than domestic circulation, which explains why surviving examples often show little or no wear.
The Frankfurt ducat standard governed this issue, with .986 fine gold closely matching the Dutch ducat then dominating European trade.