Netherlands, Zeeland Oord 1631 (No reserve price)





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Copper Oord (¼ stuiver) minted in Middelburg, Zeeland in 1631 under mintmaster Jacob Boreel, featuring the portrait of Prince Maurits of Orange-Nassau and the castle mintmark, not certified.
Description from the seller
Zeeland – Oord 1631 – Middelburg – Prince Maurits of Orange-Nassau
Republic of the Seven United Netherlands (1588–1795)
A particularly interesting Zeeland coin from 1631, minted in Middelburg under the moneyer Jacob Boreel, with the fortress as the mint mark.
This historical copper coin distinguishes itself by the portrait of Prince Maurits of Orange-Nassau, one of the most important military and political figures in the history of the Republic.
The Zeeland coins with Maurits' portrait occupy an exceptional place within the Dutch provincial coinage. The use of a royal portrait on a coin was generally reserved for sovereign rulers, while Maurits, as stadtholder, was formally not a reigning monarch.
Historical background
Prince Maurits of Orange-Nassau (1567–1625), son of William of Orange, played a decisive role during the Eighty Years' War. Under his military leadership, the State Army developed into a disciplined and successful fighting force.
Zeeland had a special tradition by depicting his portrait on provincial coins. Remarkably, this depiction continued even after Maurits' death in 1625.
The portrait remained part of this Zeeland coin type until 1671, causing several generations of coins to bear the same historical bust.
This long-running practice underscores the unique position Maurits held within Zeeland's coin history.
Obverse
The bust of Prince Maurits of Orange-Nassau, facing right. Under the portrait lies the mint mark, the fortress, characteristic of the Middelburg mint.
Legend:
MON. NOVA COMIT. ZELANDIÆ
Fully: Moneta Nova Comitatus Zelandiæ.
Translation: New coin of the County of Zeeland.
Reverse
The crowned and richly ornamented provincial arms of Zeeland, with the year 16 – 31 flanking the crown.
Legend:
LUCTOR ET EMERGO
Translation: I strive and I rise above.
This famous Zeeland motto refers to the struggle against the water and simultaneously symbolizes the province's resilience and steadfastness.
Special features and historical significance
A noteworthy aspect of this issue is that the portrait of Maurits was still depicted on the coin in 1631, although the prince had already died six years earlier.
The use of his likeness was exceptional within the Republic, where provincial coinage was typically characterized by coats of arms, heraldic designs, and symbolic imagery.
The distinctive Zeeland coin image also gained followers outside the Republic. For example, imitations known from Reckheim used the bust and the crowned provincial arms as models.
The year 1631 is only partially legible on this specimen, a peculiarity noted in the description of this historic coin.
The combination of the portrait of Prince Maurits, the special Zeeland coin tradition, and the historical background makes this issue an appealing collectible within Dutch provincial numismatics.
A characteristic Zeeland coin from 1631, with a distinctive princely portrayal and a direct link to the history of Prince Maurits and the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands.
⸻
Specifications
* Area: Republic of the Seven United Netherlands
* Province: Zeeland
* Mint location: Middelburg
* Year: 1631 (poorly legible)
* Denomination: Oord (¼ stuiver)
* Moneyer: Jacob Boreel
* Mint mark: Fortress
* Material: Copper
* Remark: Portrait of Prince Maurits of Orange-Nassau
Zeeland – Oord 1631 – Middelburg – Prince Maurits of Orange-Nassau
Republic of the Seven United Netherlands (1588–1795)
A particularly interesting Zeeland coin from 1631, minted in Middelburg under the moneyer Jacob Boreel, with the fortress as the mint mark.
This historical copper coin distinguishes itself by the portrait of Prince Maurits of Orange-Nassau, one of the most important military and political figures in the history of the Republic.
The Zeeland coins with Maurits' portrait occupy an exceptional place within the Dutch provincial coinage. The use of a royal portrait on a coin was generally reserved for sovereign rulers, while Maurits, as stadtholder, was formally not a reigning monarch.
Historical background
Prince Maurits of Orange-Nassau (1567–1625), son of William of Orange, played a decisive role during the Eighty Years' War. Under his military leadership, the State Army developed into a disciplined and successful fighting force.
Zeeland had a special tradition by depicting his portrait on provincial coins. Remarkably, this depiction continued even after Maurits' death in 1625.
The portrait remained part of this Zeeland coin type until 1671, causing several generations of coins to bear the same historical bust.
This long-running practice underscores the unique position Maurits held within Zeeland's coin history.
Obverse
The bust of Prince Maurits of Orange-Nassau, facing right. Under the portrait lies the mint mark, the fortress, characteristic of the Middelburg mint.
Legend:
MON. NOVA COMIT. ZELANDIÆ
Fully: Moneta Nova Comitatus Zelandiæ.
Translation: New coin of the County of Zeeland.
Reverse
The crowned and richly ornamented provincial arms of Zeeland, with the year 16 – 31 flanking the crown.
Legend:
LUCTOR ET EMERGO
Translation: I strive and I rise above.
This famous Zeeland motto refers to the struggle against the water and simultaneously symbolizes the province's resilience and steadfastness.
Special features and historical significance
A noteworthy aspect of this issue is that the portrait of Maurits was still depicted on the coin in 1631, although the prince had already died six years earlier.
The use of his likeness was exceptional within the Republic, where provincial coinage was typically characterized by coats of arms, heraldic designs, and symbolic imagery.
The distinctive Zeeland coin image also gained followers outside the Republic. For example, imitations known from Reckheim used the bust and the crowned provincial arms as models.
The year 1631 is only partially legible on this specimen, a peculiarity noted in the description of this historic coin.
The combination of the portrait of Prince Maurits, the special Zeeland coin tradition, and the historical background makes this issue an appealing collectible within Dutch provincial numismatics.
A characteristic Zeeland coin from 1631, with a distinctive princely portrayal and a direct link to the history of Prince Maurits and the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands.
⸻
Specifications
* Area: Republic of the Seven United Netherlands
* Province: Zeeland
* Mint location: Middelburg
* Year: 1631 (poorly legible)
* Denomination: Oord (¼ stuiver)
* Moneyer: Jacob Boreel
* Mint mark: Fortress
* Material: Copper
* Remark: Portrait of Prince Maurits of Orange-Nassau

