1570) Restrike of the original Utrecht "Scheepjesschelling", Netherlands: Gold and Silver Coins minted by the Royal Dutch Mint recreate the original Scheepjesschelling, a popular Dutch Trade Coin: Date of Coin issue: 11.11.2020:
On 11.11.2020, the Royal Dutch Mint has brought out the Official Restrike of the original Utrecht "Scheepjesschelling" from 1761. The "Scheepjesschelling" is one of the Netherlands' most distinctive coins, partly because of their attractive design, which included a tall war ship and the popularity and reliance of the coins during their years in use.
The restrikes in gold and silver have the same dimensions as the original coin and is of Proof quality.
The "schelling" is a Dutch coin type, which was minted in many variants.
It was brought into circulation in 1670, because many inferior pieces were in circulation of previous varieties of the coin at that time. It had a nominal value of six "stuivers" (equivalent to 5 cent coins).
The coins themselves were the result of a decree introduced by the Staats General, the Parliament of the Dutch Republic on 09.11.1670 in an effort to restructure the Dutch coinage.
A "Scheepjesschelling", thus, was introduced as a new silver coin, that would eventually replace the inferior coinage in circulation, but for the time being and similar to most trade-type coinage, they were minted exclusively for use in the Dutch colonies and were not legal tender in the Republic.
The name of the "Scheepjesschelling" is derived from its use in trades. The coin was mostly used internationally.
The Reverse of the Coin depicts a ship (or "scheepje") in Dutch. As such, the design reflected two important aspects of the Dutch Republic - that of an influential seafaring power and a prolific trading entity in Europe and around the world.
The coins, weighing about 5.0 grams with a diameter of just over 25.0 mm and minted with a silver fineness of .583 depicted an appropriate design to emphasise their initial use. The design of the coins is attributed to Daniel Drappentier, a medallist and engraver in the Court of Willem, Prince of Orange-Nassau.
The Reverse displayed the coin's denominational value of six stuivers, with the numeral "6" and a large letter "S" placed on each side of the Coat of Arms of the Province that minted the coin.
Due to their specifications, these coins were considered equal in value to Britain's six pence or half shilling silver coins and saw some circulation in British Overseas Territories (BOTs), as well. in proximity to Dutch colonies.
As such, the "Scheepjessschelling" ("Ship's Schilling") as they were colloquially known, were quite popular because they were a trusted form of coin and widely accepted internationally, which also proved to be very useful in the trade in the Far East.
In the course of the 18th Century, Utrecht, Zeeland and Gelderland issued these coins.
After about 123 years in use, the last Scheepjesschelling was minted and issued in 1794.
The Commemorative Coin:
On the Reverse the Commemorative Gold and Silver Coins recreate the design of the Scheepjesschelling depicting a warship with a flag on the stern.
The inscription on the periphery reads - "CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRESCUNT" (meaning "Unity is Strength"), which is a legacy motto of the Netherlands.
On the Obverse of the Commemorative Gold and Silver Coins is seen the Crowned Coat of arms of the Province of Utrecht and the inscription on the periphery reads - "MO: No: ARG: ORDIN: TRAIECT (abbreviation for - "Moneta Nova Argentea Ordinum Traiectum" meaning - "New Silver Coin of Utrecht").
The specifications of the Coin Variants issued are:
1) Silver Variant - one Oz:
Denomination: Scheepjesshelling; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 31.1 grams or 1.0 Oz; Diameter/Size: 38.7 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mint: Royal Dutch Mint; Mintage: 1,000 pieces; Edge: Smooth; Month/Year: 02/2021.
2) Silver Variant - Two Oz:
Denomination: Scheepjesshelling; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 62.2 grams or 2.0 Oz; Diameter/Size: 38.7 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mint: Royal Dutch Mint; Mintage: 200 pieces; Edge: Smooth; Month/Year: 02/2021.
2) Silver Variant - Two Oz:
Denomination: Scheepjesshelling; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Silver (Ag); Weight: 62.2 grams or 2.0 Oz; Diameter/Size: 38.7 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mint: Royal Dutch Mint; Mintage: 200 pieces; Edge: Smooth; Month/Year: 02/2021.
3) Gold Variant - (One):
Denomination: Scheepjesshelling; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 11.29; Diameter/Size: 29.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mint: Royal Dutch Mint; Mintage: 25 pieces; Edge: Serrated; Month/Year: 02/2021; Presentation Pack: Yes.
4) Gold Variant - (Two):
Denomination: Scheepjesshelling; Metal Composition: .999 Fineness Gold (Au); Weight: 22.58; Diameter/Size: 29.0 mm; Coin Quality: Proof; Mint: Royal Dutch Mint; Mintage: 10 pieces; Edge: Serrated; Month/Year: 02/2021; Presentation Pack: Yes.
Tailpiece:
A few years ago, we (Sumita & I) visited the Sadras Fort with our friends Ajit & Anuradha, which was one of the first Verenidge Oost-indische Companie (VOC) Forts established in East India , the other one being Fort Geldria at Pulicat, through which the Dutch East India Company was shipping a variety of goods to The Netherlands and Europe. The Sadras Fort is now in ruins, but still has some tell-tale signs remniscent of the Dutch period.
We photographed some tombstones, which were all in Dutch, a language we are not familiar with, but there were ships on almost all of them. I am placing here a representative image of one tombstone:
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
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
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
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
Some other interesting Posts from Finland, Norway & Nordic Countries:
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
No comments:
Post a Comment