This year I have set a challenge for my self. It is my goal to enrich my historical coin collection with one the the most wonderful golden coins in Dutch history.
The Golden Rider (Gouden Rijder)
This coin had it’s first strike in the late 1500’s in the Dutch province of Gelre. Later on the coin was also minted in the other six Provinces at that time.
FYI: In those days The Netherlands was called The Republic of Seven United Netherlands (provinces).
The coin was in circulation until around 1764 and mainly used for large financial transactions an trade purposes, because of ifs high intrinsic value.
The first coins 1581-1645 did not have a face value, only an intrinsic value. From 1749 till 1764 the face value became 14 Dutch Guilders. In that time that was a hell of a lot money😉
The diameter of the coin is 28 mm, it weighs 10 grams, the coin contains 22 carats of Gold
This coins is not extremely rare, but most of the time they are of poor to moderate quality. Mostly due to the fact that the were used as jewelry or are baring the marks, scratches and dents of time.
The coin I am looking for must be of the highest quality. For years I am only occasionally looking for the coin but this year the hunt is on!
Lately I was at an auction house, where a fine example was for sale. My hope to buy the coin was high.
Unfortunately I was not able to win this lot so my quest goes on. The coin was of FDC quality and was sold for EUR 1.400,00 exluding the auction fee.
As I said, the hunt goes on and as soon as I have bought one, the SSG community will be the first to know.
Enjoy!