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 minted in high-quality silver with a weight of approximately 32.47 grams and a diameter of 44 mm. The coin was produced under mintmaster Coenraad Hendrik Cramer, recognizable by the mintmaster’s mark of a crane standing to the left.

On the obverse is depicted an 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 minting of the United Dutch Provinces for Overijssel.

The reverse shows the crowned Generality Arms, held by two frontally facing crowned lions. Beneath the arms is the year in a cartouche of foliate ornament, surrounded by the motto CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRESCUNT, meaning: “Through concord, small things grow.”

This specimen comes from the cargo of the VOC ship Hollandia, a spiegelretourschip (return‑voyage ship) built in 1742 for the Amsterdam Chamber and departed in 1743 toward Batavia with, among other things, a substantial silver cargo aboard. The ship perished on 13 July 1743 near the Scilly Isles after navigational errors and misjudged course, where it struck Gunner Rock and sank quickly without survivors. The cargo remained buried for centuries until the wreck was discovered in 1971 by Rex Cowan. Among other finds, roughly 35,000 silver coins were recovered, including this example of the silver rider.

Very attractive specimen.