$5,405.00 USD
– SOLDThe 1649 Netherlands-Zwolle 2 Duit, graded NGC MS64, originates from the city of Zwolle, one of the key trading and political centers in the Dutch Republic during the 17th century. This period, often called the Dutch Golden Age, was marked by economic prosperity, global trade expansion, and significant military and political developments. The year 1649 is particularly significant as it came just one year after the Peace of Westphalia (1648), which ended the Eighty Years’ War (1568–1648) and officially recognized the Netherlands as an independent republic, free from Spanish rule. Coins like this played an essential role in the republic’s growing commercial network.
Zwolle was part of the Overijssel province, one of the Seven United Provinces that formed the Dutch Republic. As a city with its own minting rights, Zwolle produced various denominations, including the 2 Duit (2D), a small copper coin used for everyday transactions. The Duit was a common coin in the Dutch provinces, circulating widely in domestic markets and even in overseas colonies controlled by the Dutch East India Company (VOC).
The obverse of the coin features the coat of arms of Zwolle, which includes a shield with a rampant lion, representing the city’s strength and autonomy. The surrounding Latin or Dutch inscription often refers to Zwolle’s status within the province of Overijssel or acknowledges the authority of the Dutch Republic. The design reinforces Zwolle’s local pride and economic independence within the broader framework of the Dutch state.
On the reverse, the coin bears an inscription indicating the denomination and year of minting, framed by decorative elements. This side of the coin serves a practical function, ensuring clear identification in trade. The presence of a well-preserved date on this piece is particularly valuable for collectors, as it ties the coin to a specific moment in Dutch history, just after achieving independence.
