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¾ Ducat - Frederick William
| Issuer | Brandenburg-Prussia, State of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1656 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
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| Reverse description | A crowned oval cartouche bearing the scepter shield of Brandenburg, flanked by ornate foliate scrollwork, occupies the central field within a beaded inner circle. The date 1656 is divided on either side of the shield, with the mint initials CT and the denomination 3/4 DUC inscribed below the shield in the lower field. A continuous abbreviated Latin legend encircling the design records the elector's full array of territorial titles, including Prince of Magdeburg, Cleves, and further dominions. |
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| Reverse lettering | M PR I C M S P C V S C C D B N H ET M PR 16 56 C T 3/4 DUC |
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| Additional information |
Frederick William — the "Great Elector" — issued this coin during the aftermath of the First Northern War, a period in which Brandenburg-Prussia was being pulled between Swedish and Polish demands for military alliance and territorial concession. The ¾ ducat denomination itself is an oddity, almost certainly struck as a presentation or donative piece rather than for general circulation; fractional ducats of this specific weight cut were rarely produced for everyday trade and more often appeared as gifts or gratuities at court.
KM#286 is sparsely documented in auction records, which aligns with its probable function as a limited donative issue from the Brandenburg mint at that time.