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Republic of Zurich, Ducat 1697

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Republic of Zurich, Ducat 1697 (obverse) Republic of Zurich, Ducat 1697 (reverse)

This rare and very well preserved Zurich ducat dates from 1697. The artistic working of the die is especially noticeable. The obverse shows a standing lion, Zurich's heraldic beast. In one paw it holds the arms of the city, in the other a sword. The text is DOMINE CONSERVA NOS IN PACE, Lord preserve us in peace. The reverse gives the face value, the place, and the date of minting: DUCATUS NOVUS REIPUBLICA TIGURINA 1697, New ducat of the republic of Tigurum. Tigurum was, in addition to Turicensis, a commonly used Latin name for Zurich.

From 1673 the 'U' was no longer written like a 'V' as it had been previously. That put an end to a tradition going back to the first ancient Roman coins.

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