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Ducat

Defined in 4 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Black's (1891)

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

The name of a foreign coin. The ducat, or sequin, was originally a gold coin of the middle ages, apparently a descendant from the bezant of the Greek-Roman empire. For many centuries it constituted the principal international currency, being intended, or supposed, to be made of pure gold, though subsequently settled at a basis a little below. It is now nearly obsolete in every part of the world. Its average value is about $2.26 of our money. It is said they appeared earliest in Venice, and that they bore the following motto: Sit tibi, Christe, datus, quem tu regis, iste Ducatus, — whence the name ducat. The silver ducat was formerly a coin of Naples, weighing three hundred and forty-eight grains, eight hundred and forty-two thousandths fine; consequent value, in our money, about eighty-one cents; but it now exists only as a money of account. DUCES TECUM (Law Lat. you bring with you).

In practice. A term applied to certain writs, where a party summoned to appear in court is required to bring with him some piece of evidence, or other things that the court would view. Cowell; Termes de la Ley. See "Subpoena."

Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia

John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914

The name of a foreign coin. The ducat, or sequin, was originally a gold coin of the middle ages, apparently a descendant from the bezant of the Greek-Roman Empire. For many centuries it constituted the principal international currency, being intended, or supposed, to be made of pure gold, though subsequently settled at a basis a little below. It is now nearly obsolete in every part of the world. Its average value is about $2.26 of our money. It is said they appeared earliest in Venice, and that they bore the following motto: Sit tibi, Christe, datus, quern tu regis, iste Ducatus (Let this Duchy which thou rulest be dedicated to thee, O Christ)— whence the name ducat. The silver ducat was formerly a coin* of Naples, weighing three hundred. and forty-eight grains, eight hundred and forty-two thousandths fine; consequent value, in our money, about eighty-one cents; but it now exists only as a money of account.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

A foreign coin, varying in value in different countries, but usually worth about $2.26 of our money.

A Dictionary of Law

Henry Campbell Black · 1891

A fvreign coin, varying in value in different countries, but usually worth about $2.26 of our money.