This piece belongs to a restrike program authorized under West Germany's early federal coinage administration, reproducing an 18th-century Habsburg type for the collector and bullion market. Maria Theresa herself never issued a 2½ Ducat denomination under this exact specification — the "Aureus Magnus" format was a later trade and presentation adaptation, produced in various German states and Austrian minting centers well into the 20th century.
The .980 fineness is notably purer than the original ducats it references, which typically ran at .986 but with greater tolerance for variation in actual struck pieces.
This piece belongs to a restrike program authorized under West Germany's early federal coinage administration, reproducing an 18th-century Habsburg type for the collector and bullion market. Maria Theresa herself never issued a 2½ Ducat denomination under this exact specification — the "Aureus Magnus" format was a later trade and presentation adaptation, produced in various German states and Austrian minting centers well into the 20th century.
The .980 fineness is notably purer than the original ducats it references, which typically ran at .986 but with greater tolerance for variation in actual struck pieces.