Ducat

Ducat, a gold coin, formerly in extensive use on the Continent, deriving its name, which first appears about the year 1100, either from Dukas, the family name of the Byzantine emperors Constantine X. and Michael; or else, according to Skeat, from the legend on Apulian coins of 1140—Sit tibi, Christe, datus, quem tu regis, iste Ducatus ('Be this duchy, which thou rulest, dedicated to thee, O Christ'). Such coins were extensively issued after the 12th century in Italy, especially at Venice, where they were called zecchini or sequins (from zecca, 'a mint'). Early in the 14th century the ducat was introduced into Hungary and Bohemia; it was adopted in 1559 by the imperial diet of Germany into the currency of the empire, and was afterwards coined in the several German states, and over the whole of the north of the European continent, Russia included. The ducat varied in weight and fineness; by far the most common, which was current in Austria, Russia, Hamburg, &c., was worth about 9s. 4d. The modern Italian ducat was of much less value. There were silver ducats in Italy, worth 3s. 4d. sterling; and in Holland a daalder (4s. 2d.) was also called a ducat.