Netherlands, West Friesland Scheepjesschelling 1678

Republic of the United Netherlands – West Friesland – Ship’s Shilling 1678 – Enkhuizen

West Friesland · Enkhuizen · 1678 · 6 stuivers · Silver · Closed 8

A silver ship’s shilling from West Friesland, dated 1678, minted at Enkhuizen under the moneyer David Hagenet. A particularly striking seventeenth‑century issue, with a richly worked warship as the central motif and the crowned coat of arms of West Friesland on the reverse.

This specimen concerns the die variant with a closed 8 in the year 1678. The numeral is clearly formed and constitutes a recognizable mintmark within this issue.

Obverse:
A fore‑and‑aft sailing three‑master warship, with full sails and flags. Surrounding the legend:
DEVS FORTITVDO ET SPES NOSTRA
God is our strength and our hope.

The ship depiction forms the visual highlight of this coin. A great deal of the original engraving remains intact: the masts, yards, rigging, sails and flags are distinctly traceable, while the hull and the richly worked poop are clearly rendered in the coin image. Under the ship, stylized waves are visible, giving the depiction a distinctly maritime character.

The choice of a warship was particularly fitting for West Friesland. Enkhuizen belonged in the seventeenth century to the leading sea and trading towns of the Republic and played an important role in the overseas trading world. The ship’s shilling thus represents a tangible numismatic reflection of the maritime significance of the province.

Reverse:
Centered is the crowned shield of West Friesland, with two lions placed one above the other. On both sides the denomination: 6 – S for six stuivers. Surrounding the legend:
MO : NO : ORDIN : WEST : FRISIÆ 1678
New coin of the States of West Friesland.

The large shield stands powerfully at the center of the coin face. Both West Frisian lions are clearly detailed, while the shield’s border and the richly designed crown are also prominently present. The year 1678 lies to the left of the crown and shows the characteristic closed 8.

Another strong visual element is the pronounced edge or cable border, which nearly fully encircles both sides. This framing gives the piece a neat and balanced presentation and enhances the contrast between the central coin design and the legends.

The ship’s shilling represented a value of six stuivers and, due to its strongly maritime iconography, is among the most recognizable silver coin types of the Republic. The combination of the warship and the West Frisian coat of arms brings together two important elements: the maritime power of the Republic and the autonomous identity of the West Frisian monetary mint.

The shillings were produced at the patent Enkhuizen Mint, operated by the Amsterdam jeweler Dirck Bosch. The coin dies were produced by Christoffel Adolphi, whose refined engraving work is particularly evident in the complex ship depiction.

This specimen presents itself with a calm silver-gray toning, wherein the recessed parts are locally darkened. This makes especially the rigging, the letters of the legends, the shield, and the cable border stand out forcefully. The combination of the detailed ship’s side, the closed 8, and the nearly fully visible edge gives the piece a strong and characterful overall appearance.

A distinctly attractive West Frisian ship’s shilling from 1678, with richly detailed ship, a powerful crowned provincial arms, a striking edge, and the characteristic closed 8 in the year. A coin in which the maritime history of Enkhuizen and West Friesland comes together in a particularly visual way.

Mint place: Enkhuizen
Mint master: David Hagenet
Engraver: Christoffel Adolphi
Variant: closed 8 in 1678
References: Verkade 72.4 · Pannekeet 73 · HNPM 81