Expert: Dmitry Livshits - 7/3/2011

Question
Hi Dmitry,
the other day I came across a gold 4 Ducats of Bulgaria dated 1912 which was offered in an internet auction. Gold weight and size, as per description, would match the famous Austrian 4 ducats. I was aware that 4 ducats according to Austrian standard were also minted by Yugoslavia and Greece but I haven't heard of a Bulgarian one, neither can it be found in any coin collection literature. What's the story of this coin, would it be genuine (picture attached)
Cheers, Guenter

Answer
Hi Guenter,
This is not any sort of a 4 ducat coin, nor is even a coin at all.
This is a medallion, which the seller has described as a 4 ducat because the size adn weight is very similar to that of a ducat. The only Bulgarian coins made in 1912 that were gold had a very different design with the portrait facing left instead of right.
This item would be worth gold bullion value, not much more as it's not a coin.
Thanks for the quesion! =)