$3,871.00 USD
Dutch gold ducats were first issued in 1586 and became a dominant trade coin in Europe and beyond, circulating alongside Spanish doubloons and Venetian sequins. The Province of Holland was particularly prolific, striking over half of all Dutch ducats through the 1700s. Many were used by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in Asian trade.
Obverse: An armored knight stands holding a sword and a sheaf of seven arrows (symbolizing the unity of the Seven Provinces) with the date split at his sides (17-41). Around him appears the legend "CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRESCUNT," Latin for "Through unity, small things grow" (often translated as "Unity makes strength"). For Holland-minted issues, this motto is followed by an abbreviation "HOL" to denote the province.
Reverse: A decorative square tablet inscribed "MO. ORD. PROVIN. FOEDER. BELG. AD LEG. IMP.," an abbreviation of "Moneta Ordinum Provinciarum Foederatorum Belgicarum ad Legem Imperii" – "Coin of the Federated Provinces of the Netherlands according to the law of the Empire."
The 1741 issue was produced during the War of Austrian Succession (which began in 1740). Despite this conflict, the Dutch Republic continued issuing these trusted trade coins to support commerce. The 1741 Holland ducat contains approximately 3.5 grams of 98.6% pure gold, a standard that contributed to its acceptance in international trade.
This MS63+ example sits near the absolute top of the condition census for 1741 Holland ducats, making it a trophy coin for advanced collectors of Dutch gold or world gold type collections.
Netherlands Gold Ducat, Holland. Only 1 Known Finer.
