The obverse of the Austrian One Ducat holds a laureate bust of Franz Joseph I with his sideburns as he is facing to the right, a popular emperor for his accomplishments in economics, politics, and cultural life in benefit of the Austrian Empire. On the Reverse of this coin is depicted the Austrian Coat of Arms. This coat of arms is inspired by the crest of the Hapsburg Dynasty. It is a double eagle with crown holding various symbols of empire.

The Ducat was central to international trade through the 1600s and on. In the 1850s, Austria began using the ducat gold coin as a format of gold trade currency. The minting of the Ducat came to an end in 1915 due to the turmoils of World War I. After that, the Austrian One Ducat was produced as a re-strike with 1915 date in years later.