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10 Ducats - Aureus Magnus Beethoven
| Issuer | Germany, Federal Republic of |
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| Year | 1970 |
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| Shape | Round |
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| Obverse description | Finely detailed portrait bust of Ludwig van Beethoven facing left, rendered in high relief with characteristic dishevelled hair and open collar, occupying the majority of the obverse field. The legend LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN arcs along the upper periphery, with the birth year 1770 positioned to the right and the commemorative year 19 70 divided at lower left and lower right, flanking the portrait. Small six-pointed star ornaments punctuate the legend at intervals. The engraving, by Werner Graul, captures the composer's intense and brooding physiognomy in a refined medallic style. |
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| Obverse script | Latin |
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| Additional information |
Issued in 1970 to mark the 200th anniversary of Beethoven's birth, this piece was produced by the West German federal mints at a moment when commemorative gold multiples were enjoying renewed commercial interest across Europe. The "Aureus Magnus" designation was applied to a series of large-format gold issues struck for the collector market rather than circulation, with Beethoven selected as the inaugural subject — a logical choice given that Bonn, his birthplace, was then serving as the West German capital.
The .980 fineness is notably high, sitting above the .900 standard common to most German gold coinage of the preceding century.