Curaçao (Dutch Caribbean). 3 Reaal (driekantje) 1819

Rare triangular 3-real coin from around 1819
The triangular 3-real coin (also known as 18 stuivers) from 1819 is a historic silver emergency coin from the Dutch colony of Curaçao..

Characteristics of the coin
• Denomination: 3 Real (equivalent to 18 stuivers)
• Period: 1819–1825
• Shape: Triangular (cut from an 8-real piece of Spanish America,
• Feature: Bearing a struck impression with the number '3' (often in a circle or with a serrated edge)
• References: Scho. 1387b / KM# 29 / CNO 61.3

Background

Because the island of Curaçao faced a severe shortage of small change, Governor Albert Kikkert had larger Spanish silver coins (8 reales) cut into pieces and provided with a value stamp. Since the coin on Curaçao represented a higher nominal value than its intrinsic silver value elsewhere, it could not be easily smuggled abroad.