1 Ducat Silver pattern strike, Coronation

Frankfurt produced pattern strikes in silver alongside the standard gold ducats for the coronation of Franz II as Holy Roman Emperor in July 1792 — an event that would prove to be the last imperial coronation ever held in the city, and very nearly the last of the entire Holy Roman Empire. The silver impressions were not intended for circulation but served as presentation and archival pieces distributed among officials and witnesses to the ceremony.

Franz II was crowned just as French revolutionary armies were massing on the Rhine. Within weeks, Prussian and Austrian forces crossed into France at Valmy.