Lot 777
Netherlands -- Zeeland. Double Dutch Rijksdaaler, 1607. Dav-4843 (unlisted date); Delm-941A (Type Rarity-3), unlisted date. 56.5 grams. Laureate armored bust holding crest right. Reverse: Crowned crest dividing date. Minor rim bumps. Not just an unlisted date but actually struck 15 years before the first recorded double daaler of this type. Exceedingly rare. NGC graded AU-55.
Europe in the 16th through 18th centuries suffered frequent, sometimes incessant, religious and commercial wars, and the constant cost of rebuilding and restoration from the destruction and upheaval, while still maintaining standing armies, required enormous revenues. One means of survival, to produce the huge revenues needed, was the development of the economic policy that has come to be known as "mercantilism." The nations favoring this practice, primarily Holland, France and England (all being leading maritime powers, incidentally), were impressed by the fact that precious metals, especially gold, were universally accepted and desired instruments for acquiring commodities needed to rebuild and to expand their influence. Large silver coins, such as this one, which were frequently melted and converted into gold, were attempts to compete with gold as a trading medium. Most perished, far from their native shores.
Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,000.
Ex Irving Goodman Collection; Ex-Bank Leu auction 8, Oct. 1973, lot 444 @ 6600 SF!
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| Realized $12,075 |
