Austrian 4 Ducats 1915 — circulating
The circulating 4 ducat coin is the same coin as the non-circulating version — 13.77 g of fine gold at 986/1000, 13.96 g total weight and 39.50 mm diameter — but the coins may show marks from the trade: fine scratches, rubbed relief, a slightly dulled field.
This version is chosen by buyers who want gold in a single coin of almost half an ounce and do not need mint condition. Coins without signs of handling are offered as the non-circulating 4 ducat coin, and single ducats and all other versions in gold ducats.
From trade gold to restrike
Ducats and 4 ducat coins served as trade gold in Austria. They were legal tender until 1858 and were officially struck until 1915. The current design with Franz Joseph I was first used in 1872.
After regular issue ended, the Austrian Mint continued to strike 4 ducat coins as historical restrikes with the unchanged date 1915. The date therefore says nothing about when a coin was struck — circulating coins are also modern products of the mint.
Obverse and reverse
Obverse: Franz Joseph I with a laurel wreath and the legend FRANC IOS I D G AVSTRIAE IMPERATOR — "by the grace of God Emperor of Austria". On circulating coins the hair and wreath usually wear first.
Reverse: the crowned double-headed eagle with a coat of arms, the abbreviated titles of King of Hungary, Bohemia, Galicia, Lodomeria and Illyria and Archduke of Austria, the date 1915 and the numeral 4.
What signs of handling mean
The 4 ducat coin is a wide, very thin flan — less than 1 mm according to trade data. In this format fine scratches and wear appear more easily than on thick one-ounce coins. They do not change the weight or fineness, and so not the gold content by which the coin is valued.
Price
The price is set by the value of 13.77 g of fine gold at the current gold price and a market premium. The price relation between the circulating and non-circulating versions depends on availability — current prices are shown on both product pages.
VAT
The 4 ducat coin meets the EU criteria for VAT-exempt gold coins: fineness of at least 900/1000, struck after 1800, legal tender in the country of origin — in Austria until 1858 — and sold at no more than 80% above the value of its gold. The legal basis is Article 344 of Directive 2006/112/EC, implemented in Poland by Article 122 of the VAT Act.
Comparison with other Austrian Mint coins
| Coin |
Total weight |
Fineness |
Fine gold |
Diameter |
| 4 ducats 1915 |
13.96 g |
986/1000 |
13.77 g |
39.50 mm |
| 1 ducat 1915 |
3.49 g |
986/1000 |
3.44 g |
19.75 mm |
| 8 florins 1892 |
6.45 g |
900/1000 |
5.81 g |
21 mm |
| 20 corona 1915 |
6.78 g |
900/1000 |
6.10 g |
21 mm |
| 100 corona 1915 |
33.88 g |
900/1000 |
30.49 g |
37 mm |
All coins in the table are Austrian Mint restrikes bearing historical dates. At 986/1000 — about 23.7 carats — the ducats have the highest fineness in this group; the florins and coronas were struck in 900/1000 gold.
Specifications
| Specification |
Value |
| Denomination |
4 ducats |
| Country |
Austria |
| Mint |
Münze Österreich (Vienna) |
| Date on coin |
1915 (historical restrike) |
| Total weight |
13.96 g |
| Fine gold |
13.77 g (0.4427 troy oz) |
| Fineness |
986/1000 |
| Diameter |
39.50 mm |
| Condition |
circulating — signs of handling possible |
| VAT |
exempt (Article 344, Directive 2006/112/EC) |
Why GoldInvest24
- The complete ducat range — 1 and 4 ducats, circulating and non-circulating: gold ducats.
- Pricing based on the gold price, updated continuously.
- No VAT under EU rules.
- Insured shipping and discreet packaging.
- Service in English, Polish and German.
Frequently asked questions about the circulating 4 ducat coin
How much gold does the circulating 4 ducat coin contain?
13.77 g of fine gold at 986/1000, the same as the non-circulating version. The total weight is 13.96 g.
What does circulating mean?
The coin may show marks from the trade, such as fine scratches and wear. Weight and fineness stay the same.
Is the circulating 4 ducat coin an original from the imperial era?
No. It is a historical Austrian Mint restrike dated 1915, like the non-circulating version.
What is the diameter of the 4 ducat coin?
39.50 mm, exactly twice the single ducat at 19.75 mm.
How should the 4 ducat coin be stored?
Ideally in a capsule, held only by the edge. The thin flan scratches or bends easily.
Do you pay VAT on the 4 ducat coin?
No. It meets the criteria of Article 344 of Directive 2006/112/EC.
See also: gold ducats, the circulating 1 ducat and historical gold coins.