Holstein Double Ducat

The most intriguing fact about the Holstein Double Ducat is that it was struck using gold sourced from recycled Spanish reales, captured during naval skirmishes in the late 17th century. This repurposing turned plundered treasure into currency for the Duchy of Holstein's trade networks, linking it directly to the era's maritime conflicts.

Weighing around 6.8 grams with a purity of about 22 karats, these coins bore the Holstein arms on one side and a simple cross on the other. Minters in places like Glückstadt produced them sporadically between 1650 and 1700, though exact dates for individual issues remain murky due to incomplete records.

While some speculate about ties to Dutch merchants, the evidence is thin. These ducats circulated widely in the Baltic and North Sea regions, serving as a hedge against inflation.

Not every coin survived; many ended up in melting pots for newer issues.

As for myths, the idea that they were cursed by pirates is nonsense—though I’ve seen fakes that might drive a collector mad.