1 Ducat Hungary Gold Maria Theresa of Austria (1717 - 1780)

1764, Hungary, Maria Theresa. Rare Gold Ducat Coin

Mint Year: 1764

Denomination: Ducat

Mint Place: Kremnitz (K-B)

Reference: Friedberg 1038, KM-329.2.  

Material: Gold (.986)

Diameter: 22mm

Weight: 3.5gm

Obverse: Standing crowned Empress Maria Theresa right, holding Imperial orb and scepscepternt initials (K-B) in fields.

Legend: M • :THER •D:G • R • I • G • H • B • R • A • A • D • B • C • T •

Reverse: Nimbate crowned Madonna, seated in couds, holding nimbate Jesus child, stepping on crescent, which is behind foliaged and crowned arms of the Kingdom of Hungary.

Legend: PATRONA • REGNI • HUNGARIÆ • 1764 •

Kremnica (German: Kremnitz, Hungarian: Körmöcbánya) is a town in central Slovakia. It has around 5,300 inhabitants. The well-preserved medieval town built above important gold mines is the site of the oldest still-working mint in the world.

Maria Theresa (German: Maria Theresia, see also names in other languages; May 13, 1717 – November 29, 1780) was the Archduchess regnant of Austria, Queen regnant of Hungary, Croatia and Bohemia, and a Holy Roman Empress by marriage.

Maria Theresa helped initiate financial and educational reforms, promoted commerce and the development of agriculture, and reorganized the army, all of which strengthened Austria’s resources. Continued conflict with the Kingdom of Prussia led to the Seven Years' War and later to the War of the Bavarian Succession. She became dowager empress after the death of her husband Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor and accession of her son Joseph as emperor in 1765.

Maria Theresa criticised many of Joseph’s actions but agreed to the First Partition of Poland (1772). A key figure in the power politics of 18th century Europe, Maria Theresa brought unity to the Habsburg Monarchy and was considered one of its most capable rulers. Her 16 children also included Marie Antoinette, queen consort of France, and Leopold II, Holy Roman Emperor.