Netherlands, West Friesland Rijksdaalder 1621

Northern Netherlands – Republic of the United Netherlands, West Friesland, mint town Hoorn
Daalder 1621 – Very rare

Silver daalder, minted in 1621 in Hoorn under the master of mint Caspar Wijntgens.

This daalder was minted in a turbulent period of Dutch history. In 1621 the Twelve Years’ Truce (1609–1621) came to an end, with the fighting between the Republic of the United Netherlands and Spain flaring up again.

West Friesland played an important economic role within the Republic during this period. The trading towns Hoorn, Enkhuizen and Medemblik benefited from international seafaring, fishing, and the rise of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), which had been founded in 1602.

Hoorn was also one of the historic mints of West Friesland. Here, under provincial authority, silver and gold coins were produced that found their way into the trade of the Republic and beyond.

The daalder represented a substantial silver value and was particularly suitable for larger payments and trade.

The year 1621 makes this specimen historically interesting: minted in the year in which the relative calm of the Twelve Years’ Truce gave way to a new phase of the Eighty Years’ War.

Obverse:
Armored knight with sword over the shoulder and the crowned provincial emblem of West Friesland in front.

Reverse:
Crowned Generality coat of arms with a rising lion, surrounded by the legend CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRESCUNT (Unity makes strength) and the year 1621.

Mint location: Hoorn
Master of the Mint: Caspar Wijntgens
Mint master’s mark: Rosette
Material: Silver

An attractive historical specimen with light signs of circulation. The knight portrait, the armorial details, and a large part of the legends are still clearly recognizable. A sparsely preserved specimen of this early West Friesland daalder.

Catalogue references:
Delmonte 940 | Verkade 64.3 | HNPM 26 | CNM 2.46.31 | Pannekeet 32 | Davenport 4842.