Java (1753-61) ducat Fr-7
This specimen was lot 21424 in Stack's Bowers NYINC sale (New York, January 2023), where it sold for $2,280. The catalog description[1] noted,
"NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES. Java (under Dutch East India Company) - Netherlands. Ducat, ND (ca. 1753-61). Batavia Mint. PCGS Genuine--Ex Jewelry, VF Details. Mintage: Issued by local ordinance 13 December 1753, ceasing 1761. Countermark: "Djawa" (Java) within circular indent. Applied to the obverse of a 1750 Holland Ducat (KM-12.3). The countermark is bold and clear on a well worn host displaying pale golden coloration on the obverse while the reverse exhibits a more of a sunset hued patina. Close inspection reveals evidence of being removed from jewelry as indicated on the PCGS label. Despite its shortcomings a presentable and affordable example of a type that seldom appears on the market that is sure to be a welcome addition to the next collection it enters.
According the Scholten, the mint at Batavia ceased coinage production by 1751 due to increasing numbers of counterfeits entering circulation. In late 1753, countermarking of Ducats with reeded edges began revaluing them at 6 Guilders 12 Stivers while the coins without the new "Djawa" mark were valued at only 6 Guilders. The intent of this added mark was to prevent the importation and exportation of good specie by private individuals. Later another local ordinance 8 January 1760 stated counterfeits without reeded edges bearing counterfeited "Djawa" countermarks were in circulation. By order of the home office, countermarking ceased in 1761."
Recorded mintage: 11,450.
Specification: host coin: 3.49 g, 0.986 fine gold.
Catalog reference: Fr-7; KM-185; Sch-438A; Jasek-pg. 80 = Rijksmuseum # KOG-MP-1-4710; SS-C.20.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 5th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2010.
- Passon, Tom, Catalogus van de Munten van de Nederlandse Gebieden Overzee, vanaf 1601 tot heden, Apeldoorn, Netherlands, 2022.
- Scholten, C., The Coins of the Dutch Overseas Territories, 1601-1948, Amsterdam: Jacques Schulman, 1953.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, The January 2023 NYINC Auction: Ancient Coins, World Coins & Paper Money, featuring the Taraszka Collection and the Mark and Dottie Salton Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2022.
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