Ducat gold
As pure gold is called an orange-yellow gold alloy with a fineness of 986/1000. The rest consists of copper , which is used to increase strength.
The historical currency, the ducat , had no denomination - apart from a few later variants. Therefore, the percentage of pure gold in the coin was strictly prescribed and strictly controlled.
Since the ducat did not have an inflated price ( face value = gold value) it was often used in the gold processing trade; this also benefited from its high purity. As was customary at the time, the coin was used directly as a raw material for making jewelry and other gold alloys. A goldsmith proverb says: "A ducat, well struck, covers horse and rider up to the collar". This means that the ducat gold can be forged so thin that it results in gold leaf for the gilding of a knight and his mount. On the other hand, it can also mean that you can buy an ordinary man (mercenary) with a ducat, including a horse.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Erhard Brepohl; Goldsmith's theory and practice; ISBN 978-3446410503