Java 1796 duit
This specimen was lot 645 in Schulman auction 379 (Amsterdam, June 2024), where it sold for €70 (about US$90 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"PROVINCIALE MUNTEN - Tinnen duit 1796, Tin munten, Munten op Java geslagen Monogram VOC daarboven N(ederlandse). Kz. 1 / DUIT / 1796. RRR Iets corrosie. NGC AU Details Enviromental Damage. Zeer fraai +. (Netherlands East Indies, tin duit of 1796, struck in Java. Obverse: VOC monogram, N above; reverse: value and date. Very rare, some corrosion, graded NGC AU Details Enviromental Damage, very fine or better.)"
Java, the chief island of Indonesia, was occupied by the British 1811-16. After the Congress of Vienna in 1815, Indonesia was returned to the Dutch but the English kept their colonies in Malaya, especially Singapore. This type, a locally made product, was hammered 1796-97 and is scarce. Tin is not a good choice for coinage as it corrodes quickly. It was likely selected for its low cost and ready availability. The "N" above the "VOC" monogram stood for "Noodmunt", or "Emergency Coin".
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 5.26 g, tin.
Catalog reference: KM 179, Scho. 486.
- Michael, Thomas, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1701-1800, 7th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2016.
- 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]Absil, Eddy, Florentine van Hees, Tim Poelman, Catelijne van den Bosch, Evert Philippeau, Andrew Absil, Schulman sale 379, Amsterdam: Schulman b.v., 2024.
Link to:
- Java 1783 rupee
- Java 1796 rupee
- Java 1797 duit struck in tin
- Java 1797 2 stuivers bonk
- Java 1797 1/2 rupee gold
- Coins and currency dated 1796