Description
Dutch Republic, the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands, Gold Ducat (3.49g, 21mm), 1762, Utrecht mint. Obverse: Dutch Knight stands facing to right, adorned in studded armour and modestly plumed helmet, wielding sword in right hand which rests on his shoulder and a bundle of seven arrows, which represents the seven united provinces of the Netherlands, in his left, date to field, legend ending with the ‘Escutcheon of Utrecht’ as the mintmark surrounds, “CONCORDIA· RES PAR· CRES: TRA·”. Reverse: Legend central in five lines within square panel framed within ornate mantle, “MO: ORD: PROVIN· FOEDER: BELG· AD LEG· IMP.”. KM-7.4. A notably attractive ducat with a relatively flat flan, full, well struck detail, a nice proclamation piece, good Very Fine, reverse near Extremely Fine.
The obverse Latin legend reads “concordia rēs parvæ crēscunt, Trāiectum”, with an English translation of “Small things thrive/come to be through unity, Utrecht”. The reverse Latin legend reads “Monēta ōrdinum prōvinciārum foederātōrum Belgicārum ad lēgem imperiī”, with an English translation of “Money of the federated provinces of Belgium in accordance with the law of the realm”.
The gold ducat struck by the Dutch Republic was one of the denominations chosen during the Australian Proclamation of 1800 by Philip Gidley King, the Governor of New South Wales. In order to retain coinage within the Australian colony, each ‘Proclamation coin’ was given a high face value – the Ducat was revalued to 9 Shillings 6 Pence. Although a monetary piece struck for use as a Dutch trade coin, the ducat is still considered a piece of Australia’s early colonial history as a proclamation piece.
