12 Dukat
Obverse
Person holding sword and four-sectioned shield surrounded by legend
Reverse
Crowned person holding child to the right, all surrounded by legend
Edge
TypeType: Plain
Issues
- 1525
Physical
Details
Notes
Depending on the source, this coin is listed as being minted at Riga or at Wenden. Because the mint's name is not mentioned in the legend, Wenden is the most likely mint, although more evidence would be needed to say for sure. Three varieties exist in regards to the marks that appear around the person on the obverse: 1) Without any marks. 2) With one mark (rosette to the right). 3) With two marks (rosette to the right and cross to the left). The original coins, struck in 1525, did not have any marks. Only one example is known, which is in the Münzkabinett Berlin. Based on the weight of that piece, it has a value of 12 Dukat, and the dies for this piece were also used to strike the 1 Thaler piece of the same date. The coins with one mark were struck in 1528, when Wolfgang Nothafft took office. The dies from the original piece were reused to make these pieces, with the only difference being the addition of the rosette. And finally, the coins with two marks were struck in 1535, when Gerd Schriver took office. Like before, he reused the dies from the previous pieces, with the only difference being the addition of a cross