Hivers,
For those who were sick during geography class first some facts.
In Western Europe we have The Netherlands (a.k.a Holland) and south of it lays Belgium.
The Romans used Belgae for the Celtic and German inhabitants of the region where we now find Belgium. After the disappearance of the Roman Empire the name Belgae disappeared only to come back 1000 years later as a name for the area up to part of the river Rhine in the Netherlands.
The above also meant that the Republic of the Seven United Provinces (1588- 1795 ) were called Belgica Foederata (Federation in Latin).
Around 1795 the North and South went there own way resulting in current Netherlands and Belgium.
Now to the coins:
The Republic dominated world trade and made gold and silver ducats as means of payment next to Thalers, spanish Real and what else you got.
At the right you see ; MO.ORD / PROVIN / FOEDER / BELG.AD / LEG.IMP.
So now you know FOEDER BELGAD is Latin for Republic 7 united Provinces currently the Netherlands and not nowadays Belgium.
Todays modern Ducats of silver (see below) and gold are carrying the same text still.
A province of Brabant coin with castle of Heeswijk now a tourist site.
I am a great lover of gold ducats but have only modern ones.
Goldrooster
