1462) Hoensbroek Castle, The Netherlands: The Third Coin to be released in the "Dutch Castles Coin Series": A Silver Ducat Trade Coin with a history spanning over 350 years, minted by the Royal Dutch Mint: Year of issue: 2020:

1462) Hoensbroek Castle, The Netherlands: The Third Coin to be released in the "Dutch Castles Coin Series": A Silver Ducat Trade Coin with a history spanning over 350 years, minted by the Royal Dutch Mint: Year of issue: 2020:

Silver Ducats, as Trade Coins, are commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Finance and are issued as Collector Coins.

The Reverse and Obverse of the One Ducat Silver Trade Coin presented against a background of the Hoensbroek Castle

The third coin to be released under the "Dutch Castles Coin Series" depicts the "Hoensbroek Castle" and continues with the legacy of Field Marshal Godard van Reede (1644-1703), who is portrayed as an armoured knight on this coin.

About Hoensbroek Castle:

Hoensbroek Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. 

The Castle has over forty authentically decorated rooms - from a beautiful and elegant ballroom to a dark, lurid dungeon.

Save for a few periods, Hoensbroek Castle was inhabited for seven centuries.

Its history starts in the Fourteenth Century with knight Herman Hoen, the first Lord of the Van Hoensbroeck family. For almost six hundred years, the Castle was wandered by knights, counts and marquesses. All residents together form a colourful lineage of noble ladies and gentlemen.

Famous Dutch writer and poet - Bertus Aafjes and his family resided in the Castle between 1951and 1973.

The Castle has served many purposes, two of the most important being a defensive castle and a residential building.

The immense medieval tower is a landmark in the scenery and draws one towards the Castle.

About Godard van Reede (1644-1703), A Brief:

Godard van Reede (1644-1703), in the United Kingdom better known as Godard de Ginkell, is a recurring character in "Dutch Castles", who also served as Governor of Utrecht.

When he was only fourteen years old, young Godard was prepared for a career in the military and became a cavalry captain of his own company of horsemen.

In 1660, he accompanied his father on a diplomatic mission to the Spanish court, which was commemorated by Dutch painter Jurriaen Ovens with three life-sized family paintings and by poet Joost van der Vondel with a poem.

In 1688, he accompanied William, Prince of Orange, in his expedition to England, where he claimed the throne of England, Scotland and Ireland.

In 1691, Ginkell started a campaign against the remaining allies of King James II.

On 03.10.1691, a victory was won, after which he, as a formal thanks, was naturalised as an English subject. Ginkell returned to The Netherlands, thereafter.

In 1693, after his return, he became Commander of the Army of Flanders.

In 1702, he became the first Field Marshal of the Dutch States Army. 

During his lifetime, De Ginkell delivered substantial military earnings in both the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Commemorative Coin:

On the Reverse, the Silver Ducat Collector Coin shows, (as stated in the Dutch Mint Act since 1659), an armoured knight with a shield in front of his leg. Godard de Ginkell is depicted in front of Hoensbroek Castle. On his shield, the Province weapon of Limburg is seen.

The inscription - "MO. NO. ARG. REG, BELGI, LIMB" (which is the Latin abbreviation of "Moneta Nova Argenta Regni Belgi"- (meaning " New Silver Coin of the Kingdom of the Netherlands"). "LIMB" (stands for "the Province of Limburg").

On the Obverse of the Silver Ducat Collector Coin (which is common to all coins issued in this Series) are depicted the National Coat of Arms of the Netherlands with the Royal Crown between the numbers of the year and the inscription "CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRESCUNT" (meaning "Unity makes Strength"). 

Also seen on this face are the caduceus mint mark and privy mark of the mint-master of the Royal Dutch Mint.

The specifications of the Silver Ducat Collector Coin are:

Coin Series Theme: "Dutch Castles"; Denomination: Dutch Trade Ducat; Metal Composition: .873 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 28.25 grams; Diameter/Size: 40.0 mm; Edge: Cabled; Coin Quality: Proof; Mintage: 2,000 pieces; Mint: Royal Dutch Mint; Certificate of Authenticity: Yes; Year: 2020.

The Presentation Case/Box in which the Silver Ducat Trade Coin is shipped. It is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

Some other interesting Posts from Finland & Nordic Countries:

1) Mint of Finland: Provincial Coins issued in 2010 & 2011 depicting cultures/traditions of Nine Historic Provinces which ceased to be Administrative Regions in 1634  

2) Commemorative Coins on Finnish Nature: 2 Euro (Cupro-Nickel) and 10 Euro (Silver) Coin depicting a Crow issued as part of "Finland 100" (Centennial Programme in 2017

3) Currency of Denmark: Krone and Ore (Part I): Historical Development of Coinage in Denmark

4) Currency of Denmark: Krone and Ore (Part II): The Evolution of Banknotes in Denmark

 5) "The Golden Age of Finnish Art": A 10 Euro Silver Coin with the afore-mentioned theme as part of the sub-theme for 2017 - "The Age of Iron and Glass" under the overall theme of "Ages of Europe" issued by the Mint of Finland on 20.02.2017: ii) "Europa Coin Programme" ot the "European Silver Star Programme" or the "Eurostar Programme"

6) Norges Bank (Central Bank of Norway): Introduction of the VIII Series of innovative/pixelated Banknotes with the theme "The Sea" in a phased manner from May 2017 to Q4 2020 and gradual withdrawal of the presently circulating Banknotes (VII Series) 

7) Currency and Coinage of Sweden: Kronor and Ore: New Banknote Series and Coins being issued in 2015 and 2016 

8) Currency and Coinage of Iceland: issued by  the Central Bank of Iceland or "Sedlabanki Islands": Kroner & Eyrir 

9) Centenary of the First Constitution of Independent Finland (1919-2019): A 100 Euro Gold Commemorative Coin celebrates the Centenary Anniversary with this abstract design minted by the Mint of Finland at their facilities in Vantaa: Coin Release date: 17.06.2019

10) "Protection of the Baltic Sea", Finland: The theme of this six stamp set issued by "Posti" (Finland Post), Finland, represented by Moomin stories characters: Stamp set issue date: 22.01.2020

11) Northern Lights, Aland Islands: A stamp of 1.70 Euro issued by Aland Post on 08.03.2019

12) Wildflowers, Aland: A new Series of Franking Labels issued by Aland Post: Date of issue: 03.02.2020

13) "Arctic Deserts", Kalaallit Nunaat, ("Land of the People"), Greenland: Special Stamps issued by Greenland Post, the first one on 21.01.2019 and the second Stamp on 28.02.2020

14) SEPAC 2020, Artwork, Aland Islands: A tribute to Aland Artist Henrik Nylund (1945-1982) by Aland Post in the 2020 Series of SEPAC stamps featuring artwork in National Collections and issued by Small European Administrations: Date of Stamp issue: 05.03.2020

15) "Franking Labels" from Greenland: Franking Labels issued by POST Greenland Filatelia since 2009 onwards: A brief analysis

16) Ancient Postal Routes - the Postal Boat Race - between Aland and Sweden", Aland, Finland: A EUROPA Postage Stamp of 2.00 Euro issued by Aland Post: Date of Stamp issue: 08.05.2020

Links to other Posts on Aland issues:

1) Northern Lights, Aland Islands: A stamp of 1.70 Euro issued by Aland Post on 08.03.2019

2) Wildflowers, Aland Islands: A new Series of Franking Labels issued by Aland Post: Date of issue: 03.02.2020

3) SEPAC 2020, Artwork, Aland Islands: A tribute to Aland Artist Henrik Nylund (1945-1982) by Aland Post in the 2020 Series of SEPAC stamps featuring artwork in National Collections and issued by Small European Administrations: Date of Stamp issue: 05.03.2020

For other interesting posts on issues from the Royal Dutch Mint, Netherlands and PostNL, please visit the following links:

1) The Stelling Van Amsterdam (Defense Line of Amsterdam), Netherlands: Royal Dutch Mint: Latest "Dutch UNESCO Sites Series" coins in the denominations of 5 Euro (Plated Copper), 5 Euro (Silver) and 10 Euro (Gold) issued on 21.11.2017

2) Fanny Blankers-Koen - "The Flying Housewife" who won four Gold Medals at the 1948 London Olympics: 100th Birth Anniversary commemorated with the issue of Gold, Sterling Silver and Silver plated Copper Coins in 2018

3) Netherlands: Gold Ducats - 2018: Single Ducat and Double Ducat Gold Coins minted by the Royal Dutch Mint, Netherlands in 2018

4) Royal Dutch Mint, Utrecht, Netherlands (or the "koninklijke Nederlandse Munt): Crossing the 100th Anniversary milestone with the issue the the World's first QR Coded Coin in 2011: Winner of the prestigious 2013 "Coin of the Year Award" (COTY) & the Most Innovative Coin of the Year" Category

5) The Beemster, Netherlands: 20th Anniversary of Beemster Polder being designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: An efficient Land reclamation Project emulated by several countries world-wide: A set of Gold (10 Euro), Sterling Silver, Silver-plated and Uncirculated (All 5 Euro) coins brought out by the Royal Dutch Mint, Utrecht in 2019

6) Dutch Aviation, Netherlands: Centenary Celebrations (1919-2019): Three coins - one Gold (10 Euros), One Sterling Silver (5 Euros) and a Silver-plated (5 Euros) Coins, along with a Silver medal celebrate this milestone in Dutch Aviation history: Coin issue date: 14.03.2019

7) A New 2019 Fourth Series of Banknotes, Aruba, issued by the Central Bank of Aruba (Centrale Bank van Aruba) on 04.06.2019 comprising five denominations with the theme of "Endangered Flora and Fauna of Aruba" and historic monuments and landmarks

8) Butterflies and Moths of Netherlands: A set of 10 Postage stamps brought out by PostNL on 11.06.2019 under its ongoing Postage Stamp Series titled "Experience Nature "

9) "De Haar Castle", Utrecht, Netherlands: The first Coin to be released in the "Dutch Castles" Coin Series: A silver ducat Trade Coin with a history spanning over 350 years, minted by the Royal Dutch Mint: Date/Year of Delivery: 04/2020

10) First Atlases, Netherlands: Commemorating 450 Years of the first Atlas (1570-2020) & others: A Stamp Sheet of six stamps depicting the Atlases which were compiled in the Netherlands in the 16th & 17th Centuries AD: Stamp Set issued by POstNL: Date of Stamp Set issue: 23.03.2020

11) "Ancient Postal Routes - The Postal Route from Christiania to Bergen", Norway: A Europa Stamp of 20g issued by Posten Norge (or Norwegian Post)depicting the difficult mountain route/stretch at Vindhellvegen & Kongevegen: Date of Stamp issue: 17.04.2020

12) 75th Anniversary of the United Nations Organisation (UNO), The Netherlands: A Coin-card set of three denominations of 0.50 Euros, 0.20 Euros and 0.05 Euros minted by the Royal Dutch Mint to celebrate the milestone: Year of Coin-card issue: 2020

Dutch Castles Coin Series:

1) "De Haar Castle", Utrecht, Netherlands: The first Coin to be released in the "Dutch Castles" Coin Series: A Silver Ducat Trade Coin with a history spanning over 350 years, minted by the Royal Dutch Mint: Date/Year of Delivery: 04/2020

2) Heeswijk Castle, North Brabant, The Netherlands: The Second Coin to be released in the "Dutch Castles Coin Series": A Silver Ducat Trade Coin with a history spanning over 350 years, minted by the Royal Dutch Mint: Year of issue: 2020

3) Hoensbroek Castle, The Netherlands: The Third Coin to be released in the "Dutch Castles Coin Series": A Silver Ducat Trade Coin with a history spanning over 350 years, minted by the Royal Dutch Mint: Year of issue: 2020

Posts from Belgium & Luxembourg:

1) Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo and Napoleon's Exile to st. Helena: (Part II) 1) A 5 GBP Coin issued by the Royal Mint UK. 2) A"Drie Landen Zilverset" ( ot the "Three Lands Silver set") containing coins issued by the Royal Dutch Mint including coins of Netherlands, Belgium and UK

2) Special Commemorative circulating 2 Euro Coins issued by Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg with the themes of Economic and Political Institutions 

3) Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg (BENELUX): National Airports Theme: A new collaborative Mint-set brought out in 2019 which incloudes all the circulating coins of the BENELUX region and a medal with the 2019 theme - "Air travel"

4) Pentagons in Nature, Belgium: "Geometry in Nature Series": Third Postage Stamp issue in the series commenced in 2018: Stamp set issue date: 27.01.2020

5) City of Bruges (or Brugge), Belgium: 20 Years as UNENCO World Heritage Site: A 20 Euro Silver Proof Coin issued by the Royakl Dutch Mint under licencing of the Royal Belgian Mint, on behalf of the National Bank of Belgium: Coin issue date: 26.02.2020

6) 100 Years of Nature & Environment Protection, Luxembourg: Commemorating the Centenary Anniversary of the "Letzebuerger Natur a Vulleschutsliga a.s.b.l. (Luxembourg Nature and Bird Protection Society):A 0.80 Euro Stamp issued by Luxembourg Postes (Post): Date of stamp issue: 10.03.2020

7) Celebrating 25 Years of listing on UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Luxembourg: A Commemorative Stamp of 0.80 Euro issued by Luxembourg Postes (Post): Stamp issue date: 10.03.2020

8) Ancient Postal Routes, Luxembourg: Two Postage Stamps in the denominations of 0.80 Euro and 1.05 Euro issued by Post Lexembourg: Date of Stamps issued: 09.06.2020