$3,396.00 USD
In historical context, Holland ducats were prolific trade coins from 1586 through 1816. Holland was the richest province of the United Netherlands, and its ducats were minted to a stable specification (3.5 g, .986 gold) for use in international commerce. This stability and reliability made the Dutch ducat one of the most widely accepted trade coins in Europe, the Middle East, and beyond during this period.
The Netherlands (Holland) ducat of the 1700s is a classic gold trade coin, minted at Dordrecht (mintmark "HOL") with a consistent weight of approximately 3.49 grams and 0.986 gold fineness. Its design remained largely unchanged from its introduction in 1586, emphasizing the stability and reliability that made it a trusted international trade coin.
The obverse shows a standing knight in full armor holding a sheaf of six arrows (in one hand) and a drawn sword (in the other). The surrounding Latin legend reads "CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRESCUNT" (roughly "Union makes small things grow"). This design symbolizes the unity of the Dutch provinces, with the knight representing strength and the arrows signifying the united provinces.
The reverse bears a crowned square shield (often with provincial arms or "MO. ARG." inscription) in an ornate wreath. These design elements are the same for the 1750 issue as for nearby years (1749–1752). A small rosette between the horse's legs was introduced in 1749 and continues on 1750 and 1751 examples, helping to distinguish these dates from earlier issues.
The MS61+ grade indicates that this coin retains its original mint luster and shows no sign of circulation wear, though it does display some contact marks and minor imperfections as would be expected for the grade. For a coin struck in 1750, this level of preservation is exceptional.
Netherlands Gold Ducat, Holland
