This is a considerably tougher silver coin, more accurately a medal commemorating the Dutch East India Company's first contact with the far east 400 years ago (1996).
“Black birds tend to like shiny things.” ~ The Bloody Raven
Are you enjoying our #silvergoldstacker's 12 Days of Christmas Wish List showcase? Dying to join in? It's not too late. Even if you are NOT participating in the Secret Santa put your dream coins out there just in case Santa may guess that you'd like new socks or something like that..
No need for an invitation, but if you do, 
My Day 6 Silver wish
1996 Netherlands 3 Daalders VOC’s arrival in the East Indies
In 1590 the Portuguese had a very lucrative trade monopoly on those highly prized and popular exotic spices and goods from the East Indies then sold throughout Europe from Lisbon. The Dutch did profit from re-selling to their markets until a war was declared between the Spanish and the Dutch. Naturally by heraldic relations Portugal sided with Spain and the Dutch were cut out of the deal.
The Dutch would love to cut out the Portuguese middle men and go direct to the source but how to get there was a guarded Portuguese trade secret.
1996 Netherlands 3 Daalders VOC’s arrival in the East Indies
It wasn’t until 1592 that cartographer Petrus Plancius published the route to the East Indies in a series of maps.
‘Cat’s outta the bag.’ But not quite.
Information is still needed to corroborate and confirm locations, route, contacts, landmarks, etc, etc, etc By 1594 a few astute men including one Cornelius De Houtman posed as merchants in Lisbon and India managed to acquire more than enough information to begin plan their first expedition to the East Indies
And from the same series for my Day 7 silver wish
Since we're in the same series the sister medal; Return to Amsterdam is just as beautiful as the Arrival medal.
1996 Netherlands 3 Daalders VOC Return to Amsterdam.
With the backing of another six merchants and 290,000 Guilders in capital raised, these merchants formed the ‘Far-Distance Company’ the fore runner of the Dutch East India Company. It wasn’t just one ship but four; The Mauritius, Amsterdam, Hollandia and the Duifje. With 248 Men and officers they departed Texel on April 2nd, 1595.
A Bonus Fiat Colonial 5 Guldens
1986 Netherlands Antilles 5 Gulden in the West Indies
It wasn’t until June 1596 that the Dutch ships finally arrive at Bantam, Java. At this point the Dutch had already lost seventy-one crew, including the Captain of the Hollandia, due to illness.
So what happened next?
Bantam merchants inflated their prices at the beckoning of the Portuguese.
The Ships were denied a fresh supply of water in Bantam.
Expeditionary leader Corneilus de Houtman was captured and ransomed by the Sumatrans. After being released and the ransom paid, de Houtman ordered a bombardment of the Sumatran city then like a pirates ☠️ raided some of the incoming ships of their spice cargo.
At Madura, the Amsterdam open fired upon a ship carrying members of the royal family to meet with the Dutch, killing a prince among the casualties.
At Sidayu the ships were boarded by hostile natives killing twelve crew along with the Amsterdam’s captain. ⚔️
I'd say they left a pretty bad first impression of the Dutch.
1986 Netherlands Antilles 5 Gulden
’s collectionIn summary, the expedition has been almost a total disaster. Only 94 crew remaining out of the 248. Expedition leader de Houtman’s rival who was always at odds with him died under strange circumstances. The condition of the fleet was poor and the Amsterdam was so un-seaworthy that she was set adrift and scuttled before they set sail for home from Bali on February 26th, 1597, and arriving back at Texel on August 14th, 1597.
However, they returned with enough peppers, nutmeg and mace spices to make some profit but more importantly is that the Dutch learned from this experience and made use of these lessons on their second expedition.
Until our next wish list adventure, Season’s greetings friends! 🎄🎁
And keep on Stacking.
2024 12 Days of Christmas Wish list posts;
Day 1; 2024 S.S. Tilawa Shipwreck Voyage 1 Troy Silver round.
Day 2; Scottsdale Omnia Type 2 Silver Round.
Day 3; 2022 $2 EC8 St. Vincent and the Grenadines Warship Silver Round.
Day 4 and Day 5; 2022 and 2023 $2 EC8 Antigua & Barbuda Rum Runner.
Day 6 and Day 7; 1996 Netherlands 3 Daalder VOC Series Medals.
Stacking Hive and Precious metals for those dark stormy days!
References & Sources
Photos are my own shot with an ancient 2018 Samsung SM-A530W or otherwise indicated.
P. Image under Pixabay
W. Wiki Commons
☠️🎃 Page Dividers by thekittygirl. ❄️🌞
Cameo Raven Brooch from The Black Wardrobe.
The 2024 Hive 0.999 Silver Round.
Old World Map background from BellaTerra Publishing LLC by Bella Stander. BellaTerraMaps.com
World History Encyclopedia The Dutch East India Company.
Wiki; The First Dutch expedition to the East Indies.
Physical precious metals bullion stacking is only a part of my personal overall financial strategy. Meanwhile, collecting numismatics are a different set of objectives and strategy. Please, do your research before deciding to buy any bullion products.