1 Ducaton - Philip IV First bust, piedfort of triple weight

The ducaton was introduced in the Spanish Netherlands in 1618 as a large silver trade coin intended to compete with the German Reichstaler in northern European commerce. Philip IV's accession in 1621 prompted a new bust type for the series, and piedforts of this denomination — struck at three times the standard flan thickness — were produced almost exclusively as presentation pieces for court gifting and diplomatic exchange, not for any commercial purpose. The Brussels mint was the principal source.

GH#327a identifies this as among the heavier silver piedforts of the period from Brabant.