Austrian 1915 Four Ducats Ducats were issued by Austria in 1612, and possibly earlier. The last regular issue of ducats was in 1914. All the 4 ducats dated 1915 are restrikes, of which there were 496,501 struck between 1920 and 1936. Four ducat coins dated 1915 are still being produced by the Austrian Mint as official restrikes. Franz Joseph I was born in 1848, and died in 1916. Obverse The laureate head, facing right, of Emperor Franz Joseph I FRANC IOS I D G AUSTRIAE IMPERATOR Reverse The arms of Austria superimposed upon a crowned double-headed Imperial eagle. HUNGAR BOHEM GAL LOD ILL REX A A 1915 High Carat Gold Ducats were produced in high purity gold, 233/4 carats, making them among the highest purity gold coins ever issued for circulation. Thickness Because they have inherited their design and appearance from medieval gold coins, they are very thin compared with modern coins, at just 0.7 mms. thick.