Geneva Ducat

Geneva's ducats were struck in gold to a standard that allowed them to circulate freely across Europe, often serving as a reliable medium in trade deals that skirted the complexities of local currencies.

These coins, issued by the Republic of Geneva from 1620 until 1798, typically weighed around 3.49 grams and featured designs like the city arms or a cross, reflecting Geneva's Protestant identity. Planchets were sourced from refined gold bullion, sometimes recycled from foreign imports to ensure purity. We don't know the exact mintage figures; records from that era are spotty at best.

One variety shows a simple Latin inscription, emphasizing Geneva's independence. That simplicity helped them avoid the ornate pitfalls of other ducats. As for variations, some years might have included edge lettering for anti-counterfeiting, though evidence is inconclusive.