Ducat

Ducat (Ital. dncato, belonging to a duke), a coin said by some authorities to have been introduced by Longinus, Exarch or Duke of Ravenna. According to Professor Skeat, it was first coined in the duchy of Apulia in 1140 B.C., and derived its name from an inscription on it, commending the duchy to Divine protection. The name was used in many European states for gold and silver coins down to the end of the first half of the present century. The gold ducats of Venice, also called sequins or zeochini, were worth about 6s. About 1835 the German gold ducat, though slightly different in different states, was usually worth about 9s. 3d. Russia. Sweden, and Holland also had gold ducats, each worth about 8s. 4d., while Venice and Naples had silver ducats worth approximately 3s. 6d. (with silver at 5s. per oz.).