Netherlands, Kampen Dukaton 1742

Republic of the United Netherlands – Silver Rider 1742 – Overijssel, Kampen

Silver Rider struck in 1742 at Kampen for the province of Overijssel, during the period of the Republic of the United Netherlands (1581–1795). This imposing silver coin belongs to the well-known Riders and is struck in high-quality silver, weighing about 32.47 grams and 44 mm in diameter. The coin was minted under master mintmaster Coenraad Hendrik Cramer, recognizable by the mint master mark of a crane standing to the left.

On the obverse is depicted a armored and helmeted knight on horseback to the right, with a sash, a raised sword in the right hand and the reins in the left hand. Below is the provincial coat of arms of Overijssel, surrounded by the Latin inscription MO:NO:ARG:CONFOE:BELG:PRO:TRANSISALANIÆ, which refers to the silver coinage of the United Dutch Provinces for Overijssel.

The reverse shows the crowned Generality Arms, held by two frontally facing crowned lions. Under the arms is the year within a cartouche of foliate ornaments, surrounded by the motto CONCORDIA RES PARVÆ CRESCUNT, meaning: “Through unity, small things grow.”

This specimen comes from the cargo of the VOC ship Hollandia, a spiegelretour ship that was built in 1742 for the Amsterdam Chamber and in 1743 set sail for Batavia with a substantial silver cargo on board. The ship perished on 13 July 1743 near the Scilly Islands after navigational errors and miscalculation of course, running aground on Gunner Rock and sinking rapidly with no survivors. The cargo remained unrecovered for centuries until the wreck was discovered in 1971 by Rex Cowan. Among the finds were some 35,000 silver coins, including this specimen of the Silver Rider.

A very attractive specimen.