Netherlands, Zeeland Dukaat 1764

Northern Netherlands, Republic of Zeeland, Middelburg. A very attractive and richly detailed example of the Zeeland silver ducat from 1764.

Struck during the short period in which Martinus Holtzhey Sr. and Martinus Holtzhey Jr. were jointly connected with the Zeeland Mint as Master of the Mint. Characteristic is the double loop in the ribbon of the arrows in the General's arms, introduced after Martinus Holtzhey Jr. was appointed alongside his father on 2 December 1760. At the same time, the rosettes above the General's arms disappeared, as did the Master of the Mint mark of Holtzhey Sr. After his death in 1764, Holtzhey Jr. used two stars as the master mark from 1766, which continued to be used on Zeeland dukats even after his death in 1788.

Obverse: Armored and helmeted knight to the right, with raised sword in the right hand and the crowned provincial arms before him, held by a doubly hooked cord. Legend: MON·NO·ARG·PRO·CONFOE·BELG·COM·ZEL·♖.

Reverse: Crowned General's arms, flanked by the year 17–64, with legend: CONCORDIA RES PARVÆ CRESCUNT.

References: Delmonte 976 | Verkade 87.1 | HNPM 50 | CNM 2.49.50 | Davenport 1848. Medal strike

A historically interesting type from the transitional period of father and son Holtzhey, where the double loop in the arrows’ bundle symbolizes their joint mastership of the mint. As such, this issue is a favored collectible within Zeeland and the Dutch provincial coinage.