$5,258.00 USD
– SOLDThe 1651 Netherlands-Gelderland Gold Ducat, graded NGC MS62, originates from the province of Gelderland, one of the key regions of the Dutch Republic during the 17th century. This coin was minted just a few years after the Peace of Westphalia (1648), which ended the Eighty Years' War and formally recognized Dutch independence from Spain. The Dutch Republic, now a major European power, was entering its Golden Age, characterized by economic prosperity, global trade dominance, and military strength.
Gelderland was one of the Seven United Provinces that made up the Dutch Republic. The gold ducat, first introduced in the late 16th century, became one of the most stable and widely accepted trade coins in Europe. It was particularly favored in international commerce due to its consistent weight and high gold purity. These coins circulated throughout Europe, the Ottoman Empire, and even Dutch overseas colonies, reinforcing the Republic’s economic influence.
The obverse of this coin features the classic standing knight design, a hallmark of Dutch gold ducats. The knight is depicted in full armor, holding a bundle of arrows in one hand and a sword in the other, symbolizing unity and military strength. The arrows represent the seven provinces of the Dutch Republic, emphasizing their collective resistance against foreign rule. Surrounding the knight is a Latin inscription that typically reads "CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRESCUNT", meaning "Through unity, small things grow." This motto reflects the Dutch Republic’s success in uniting small provinces into a powerful and prosperous state.
The reverse of the coin displays a square tablet with an inscription, surrounded by an ornate border. The inscription generally states the year of minting and a religious or sovereign declaration, reinforcing the legitimacy of the coin. This design remained consistent across Dutch ducats for centuries, maintaining their strong reputation in trade.
