Anyone have info on gold Ducats?

Placid

I have a 1596 Ducat minted at Utrecht, Netherlands.
Is there a mintage record of this coin?
Does pcgs grade these?
Thanks for any info.

GDJMSP

Both PCGS & NGC will grade them. As for mintage records - I am not aware of any. Depending on the grade these can sell for anywhere from $200 to $575.

DennisH

PCGS does grade these! When I bought mine I seem to recall being told the gold ducat was basically an internationally-accepted currency of trade, according to the weight and purity of the gold. There were many struck, and few ever saw circulation because they were generally transported in large groups in sacks, boxes, etc.

They really seem like a LOT of history and age for the money, don't they?

Placid

Thanks. I guess the pcgs coin number is something you just let pcgs figure out?

DennisH

Yes... just send them the coin and let them fill in the blank.

1jester

Looking at your coin, Dennis, I can see that PCGS will slab damaged coins. That's good news, since the overwhelming majority of older (especially pre 1750) gold coins are bent.

DennisH

1jester:

That's much more of an optical illusion than is really the case. Rather than a bend, it appears to be a slight planchet 'wave'. I looked at this long and hard before buying, and I'm convinced it isn't a bend.

By the way, this was in an NGC AU55 holder when I bought it.

Placid

Interesting overdate
Btw did you crack it or cross it?
Also how do you tell the mint on these?

DennisH

Sent it in the NGC holder... shocked me silly when it came back a higher grade!

Showed my coin to a friend who was born and raised in Holland and asked him about the mintmark. Alas, since he knows nothing about coins he was totally unable to help. He did LOVE the coin, though.

1jester

It's a really beautiful coin, Dennis! Thanks for the reply about the apparent bend.