Description
Dutch Republic, the Seven United Netherlands, Silver Nederlandse Rijksdaalder (28.63g, 41mm), 1612, Utrecht mint. Obverse: Half-length bust of a Dutch Knight facing to the right, laureate and armoured and wielding sword in right hand and holding aloft the Shield of Arms of the Dutch Republic by the strap, inner beaded border and legend beginning with initial mark escutcheon surrounds, “·MO· ARG· PRO· CONFO· BELG· TRAIEC·”. Reverse: Shield of Arms of the Dutch Republic surmounted by crown, date to field either side, inner beaded border and legend with cross stops surrounds, “·CONCORDIA· RES· PARVÆ· CRESCVNT·”. KM-14; Davenport-4836. A common Dutch issue in poor, water-born condition, the offered piece is quite the opposite and notably attractive, particularly the obverse which is well struck and supplemented with a keen display of amber devices around the devices, a very collectible example, near Extremely Fine.
The obverse Latin legend reads unabridged as “Monēta argentea prōvinciārum Cōnfoederātiōnis Belgicārum, trāiectum”, with an English meaning of “Silver money of the Provinces of the Confederation of Belgium, Utrecht”. The reverse Latin legend is stated in full as “concordia rēs parvæ crēscunt”, with an English translation of “Small things thrive/come to be through unity”.
