$5,434.00 USD
The 1751 14 Gulden is a large gold "Golden Rider" coin issued by the province of Gelderland in the Dutch Republic. This iconic design originated in the early 1600s and was revived in 1749 as a 14 Gulden issue. The Golden Rider series is among the most recognizable and prestigious gold coinage of the Dutch Republic, embodying the nation's wealth and commercial power during its golden age.
The obverse depicts an armored knight on horseback charging to the right, brandishing a sword. Above the knight is a crowned shield bearing the arms of Gelderland; to the left of this shield is a mint privy mark (specific to 1750–1751 issues). The legend (in Latin) reads "MO AUR PRO CONFOED BELG D G & C Z" – "Gold coin of the province (Duchy) of Gelderland and County of Zutphen of the United Provinces."
The reverse shows the crowned Dutch Republic arms dividing the denomination and date (14 Gulden above the crown, year below); the legend "CONCORDIA RES PARVÆ CRESCUNT" ("Unity makes strength") encircles the shield. This motto encapsulates the political philosophy of the United Provinces – that the relatively small Dutch territories gained their strength through confederation.
The coin was struck at the Harderwijk mint and weighs approximately 9.93 grams of 0.917 fine gold, containing about 0.3 troy ounces of pure gold. The production technique was milling, a more advanced method than the earlier hammered coinage, resulting in more uniform pieces with sharper details and protective rims.
As a high-denomination gold trade coin, the Golden Rider has exceptional historical significance – it symbolized Dutch wealth and unity, and was used in international commerce throughout Europe and beyond. These coins represented substantial purchasing power and would have been used primarily for large transactions, wealth storage, or international trade rather than everyday commerce.
This 1751 coin in MS60 is therefore remarkable compared to typical circulated or AU specimens: it retains full mint luster (unlike AU coins) and has avoided any actual wear from circulation. The technical Mint State designation, despite any aesthetic imperfections, places it in a completely different category from even lightly circulated examples.
Netherlands 14 Gulden, Gelderland
