Austrian Ducats and 100 Corona: specifications, value and where to buy
The Austrian Mint still strikes historical gold coins dated 1915. The 4 ducat is 98.6% gold, weighs 13.96 g, holds 13.77 g (0.4427 oz) of gold and is 39.50 mm wide. The 100 corona is 90% gold, weighs 33.88 g and holds 30.49 g (0.9803 oz). Both trade close to their gold value.
Long before the Vienna Philharmonic, Austria's gold coins were ducats and coronas. The Austrian Mint (Münze Österreich) keeps striking them as official restrikes, all dated 1915, and sells them as investment gold. They appeal to buyers who like a historic design at bullion prices, and the 4 ducat's large, thin shape makes it one of the most striking gold coins you can buy for less than half an ounce of gold.
What are the specifications of Austrian ducats and coronas?
| Coin | Alloy | Total weight | Fine gold | Fine gold (troy oz) | Date on coin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ducat | 986 gold | 3.49 g | 3.44 g | 0.1106 | 1915 |
| 4 ducat | 986 gold | 13.96 g | 13.77 g | 0.4427 | 1915 |
| 10 corona | 900 gold | 3.39 g | 3.05 g | 0.0981 | 1912 |
| 20 corona | 900 gold | 6.78 g | 6.10 g | 0.1961 | 1915 |
| 100 corona | 900 gold | 33.88 g | 30.49 g | 0.9803 | 1915 |
Source: Münze Österreich specification table. 986 gold is 98.6% gold and 1.4% copper; 900 gold is 90% gold and 10% copper. Troy ounce figures are our conversion (grams ÷ 31.1035). The Mint lists the 4 ducat's diameter as 39.50 mm. For the 100 corona, Numista gives 37 mm, 2.3 mm thick, with the edge inscription VIRIBVS VNITIS.
The 4 ducat's obverse shows Emperor Franz Joseph, who ruled for 68 years; the Mint notes that its design was first struck in 1872. The 100 corona, designed by Stefan Schwartz, shows Franz Joseph's bare head on the obverse and the crowned double-headed imperial eagle on the reverse. The corona (crown) currency was introduced with the monetary reform of 1892 and lasted until Austria became a republic in 1918.
What are they worth today?
| Coin | GBP | USD | CAD | AUD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ducat | ... | ... | ... | ... |
| 4 ducat | ... | ... | ... | ... |
| 20 corona | ... | ... | ... | ... |
| 100 corona | ... | ... | ... | ... |
Spot-based melt values, not dealer prices. Last updated: Loading. Our coin melt value calculator handles other coins.
What do the Austrian Mint and dealers charge?
The Austrian Mint says the sale price of its historical restrikes is very close to the gold price, and that the higher the fine weight, the lower the premium. Our automated checks on 11 October 2026 bear that out. We used gold-api.com spot prices of €3,744.15 and £3,171.45 per ounce at the time of each check.
| Seller and coin | Captured (UTC) | Price | Gold value | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austrian Mint: 100 corona (in gift pack) | 11:37 | €3,835.27 | €3,670.30 | 4.49% |
| Austrian Mint: 4 ducat | 11:37 | €1,773.82 | €1,657.59 | 7.01% |
| Austrian Mint: 20 corona (in gift pack) | 11:37 | €796.56 | €734.30 | 8.48% |
| Austrian Mint: 1 ducat | 11:37 | €458.03 | €414.10 | 10.61% |
| Chards: 4 ducat, ungraded restrike | 11:35 | £1,614.87 | £1,404.05 | 15.01% |
| Chards: 1 ducat | 11:36 | £455.73 | £350.76 | 29.93% |
Austrian Mint prices from its historical restrikes page (shown as tax free); Chards prices from its product pages (VAT exempt), both coins in stock. Chards did not display a price for the 100 corona when we checked. Gold value uses the Austrian Mint's fine weights.
Two lessons. First, size matters: the 100 corona, with almost an ounce of gold, carried the lowest premium, and the tiny 1 ducat the highest, at both sellers. Second, where you buy matters: the same 4 ducat restrike cost about 7% over gold value from the Mint and about 15% from a UK dealer, although UK buyers would pay delivery and possibly import costs to buy from Austria. Read gold premiums explained for the reasons small coins cost more.
Because these are restrikes, they trade as bullion. Original pre-1915 ducats and coronas with other dates can carry numismatic value; Numista notes that original 1912 and 1913 100 coronas are valued well above restrikes. See bullion vs numismatic coins.
How are Austrian ducats and coronas taxed?
| Country | When you buy | When you sell at a gain |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | No VAT Sold by UK dealers as investment gold (Notice 701/21A) | CGT applies Not sterling |
| United States | State sales tax rules vary | Collectible rate up to 28% if held over a year (IRS Topic 409) |
| Canada | GST/HST applies 98.6% and 90% are both under the 99.5% line (CRA 17.1) | Gains generally taxable |
| Australia | GST applies Under 99.5% fineness (GSTR 2003/10) | Generally subject to CGT |
The 4 ducat is a near miss on purity: at 98.6% it is purer than any 22-carat coin, but still short of the 99.5% that Canada and Australia use for sales tax relief, and short of the futures-delivery fineness that US law uses for IRA bullion. It is therefore not IRA eligible.
How do you spot a fake?
- Check weight and size together. A 4 ducat should weigh 13.96 g and measure 39.50 mm; its large, thin shape is hard to fake in a denser metal without the size or thickness going wrong.
- Check the 100 corona's edge for the VIRIBVS VNITIS inscription and the weight of 33.88 g.
- Fakes exist, particularly of the 100 corona (Numista shows an example), so buy from the Austrian Mint or established dealers.
Our guide to how to tell if gold is real covers more checks.
Where can you buy Austrian ducats and coronas?
The Austrian Mint sells its restrikes directly through its online shop. In the UK, Chards stocks 1 and 4 ducat restrikes and the 100 corona, and Atkinsons Bullion lists pre-owned 100 corona coins. Compare prices against the melt values above. If you want the lowest cost per ounce from Austria, the Vienna Philharmonic is the mint's main modern bullion coin; see our Philharmonic guide. Beginners may also find our best gold coins for beginners and gold coins vs gold bars useful, and all gold coin guides lists every coin we cover.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Official restrikes from the Austrian Mint
- 100 corona was just 4.5% over gold value at the Mint on 11 October 2026
- Distinctive large, thin 4 ducat
Cons
- Not IRA eligible; sales tax in Canada and Australia; CGT in the UK
- Small ducats are expensive per ounce
- Dealer premiums can be much higher than the Mint's own
Frequently asked questions
How much gold is in an Austrian 4 ducat coin?
13.77 g of pure gold (0.4427 troy ounce), according to the Austrian Mint. The coin weighs 13.96 g, is 986 fine (98.6% gold) and measures 39.50 mm, which makes it unusually wide and thin for its weight. All current coins are restrikes dated 1915.
How much gold is in an Austrian 100 corona coin?
30.49 g of pure gold, about 0.9803 troy ounce, in a 33.88 g coin of 900 gold (90%). It is the Austrian Mint's largest historical restrike, dated 1915, and holds slightly less gold than a modern 1 oz coin.
Why are all Austrian ducats and coronas dated 1915?
The Austrian Mint strikes them as official restrikes of historical coins and keeps the 1915 date. The Mint says the date recognises the year gold coin production ended, at least temporarily, because of the economic constraints of the First World War.
Are Austrian ducat and corona coins legal tender?
No. The Austrian Mint says ducats lost their legal tender status in 1857, though they were used as trade coins until 1915, and the 100 corona is demonetised. They are sold as investment gold close to the gold price, not as currency.
Are 4 ducat coins IRA eligible in the US?
No. US law only lets an IRA hold listed US coins or bullion meeting the fineness required for futures delivery. At 98.6% gold, the 4 ducat falls just short of the 99.5% purity that standard gold contracts require, and the 90% 100 corona falls well short.
Is there VAT on Austrian ducats in the UK?
UK dealers sell them as VAT-free investment gold. HMRC's investment gold coin rules cover coins minted after 1800, at least 90% pure, that are or have been legal tender, and sold for no more than 180% of their gold value. CGT applies on gains.
Sources
We checked these primary and official sources when writing and fact-checking this page.
- Münze Österreich: Historical gold and silver restrikes (specification table and prices, checked 11 Oct 2026)
- Münze Österreich: 4 Ducat gold coin (specifications, history, price checked 11 Oct 2026)
- Numista: Austria 100 corona 1909 to 1915 (diameter, thickness, edge, designer)
- Chards: Austrian Mint 1915 4 ducat restrike (price captured 11 Oct 2026)
- Chards: 1915 gold Austrian 1 ducat (price captured 11 Oct 2026)
- Chards: 1915 gold Austrian 100 corona (restrike history)
- HMRC VAT Notice 701/21A: Investment gold coins
- 26 US Code 408(m): IRA collectibles rule
- Canada Revenue Agency: GST/HST Memorandum 17-1
- Australian Taxation Office: GSTR 2003/10
Not financial advice. GoldVetted provides general information to help you compare options. It is not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Gold prices go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you pay. Check tax rules with the official source or a qualified adviser before you act.