Holland 1681 gulden
The first specimen was lot 2140 in Sincona sale 11 (Zürich, May 2013), where it sold for 450 CHF (about US$557 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"NIEDERLANDE Holland, Provinz 1 Gulden 1681. Sehr schön. (Netherlands, province of Holland, one gulden of 1681, very fine.)"
The second specimen was lot 30418 in Heritage auction 3096 (Dallas, TX, March 2021), where it sold for $55,200. The catalog description[2] noted,
"The Finest Certified Example of Only Two to Come to Market in Nearly 20 Years. Holland. Provincial gold Proof Off-Metal Gulden 1681 PR64 Cameo NGC. Struck to 5 Ducat weight. An incredibly captivating rendition of this most challenging and elusive off-metal striking in gold, reportedly minted in weights of 4, 4-1/2, and 5 Ducats. Produced to the highest standard, both the obverse and reverse alike carry the feel of a special medallic issue. The devices, sharply and deeply impressed, are overlaid in a contouring mint frost and set against pondlike reflectivity in the fields--all factors that set the offering on the very cusp of gem certification. Although very minor wisps likely account for the assigned grade, this is virtually a moot point, even more so when considering that this is the finest of only two to be graded across NGC and PCGS to date. According to our research, this is one of a mere 2 specimens to have appeared at auction in recent decades, with the last to sell, an SP63 from PCGS, bringing $43,200 as part of our August 2020 Platinum Night sale 3085. For the sake of completeness, we note that an example was also present in Sotheby's 1903 sale of the Murdoch Collection (lot 1141). This selection could hardly be improved upon, and we can only anticipate the interest it will receive as it crosses the auction block for the first time in nearly 20 years. Ex. Künker Auction 68 (October 2001, Lot 2306). From the Paramount Collection."
This type, tariffed at twenty stuivers, was struck erratically starting in 1680 in Holland. Two and three gulden also exist. The second specimen was offered again as lot 42464 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Oklahoma City, OK, August 2025), where it sold for $48,000.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 10.61 g, .920 fine silver, the first specimen 10.19 g, the second specimen 17.47 g.
Catalog reference: silver: Delmonte 1172. Nederl. Munt. 2.18.82; KM-60. Gold: KM 61a, Fr-Unl., Delm-801 (R1), CNM-2.28.98, PW-Ho58.4.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- van der Wis, Jan, and Tom Passon, Catalogus van de Nederlandse Munten geslagen sind bet aantreden van Philips II tot aan het einde van de Bataafse Republiek (1555-1806), 2nd ed., Apeldoorn, Netherlands: Omni-Trading b.v., 2009.
- [1]Numismatic Coins, Medals & Banknotes, Auction 11, Zürich: Sincona AG, 2013.
- [2]Bierrenbach, Cristiano and Warren Tucker, Heritage World and Ancient Coins Auction 3096, featuring the Paramount Collection of World & Ancient Coins, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2021.
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