West Friesland 1758 ducat with Djawa c/m

West Friesland ducat 1758 with Djawa countermark

West Friesland ducat 1758 with Djawa countermark

In the recent CNG auction 100, ended on October 7, 2015 this coin was available for bidding (Lot 908). It is ex-Dr. Lawrence A. Adams specimen, purchased by Dr. Adams from M. Louis Teller in April 1986. Coin diameter is 22mm, weight 3.49 gm.

West Friesland ducat 1758 with Djawa countermark

West Friesland ducat 1758 with Djawa countermark
(source: www.cngcoins.com)

Despite the fact that overall condition of this ducat is very fine, with the countermark in about XF condition, the coin is sold for $5,288 =4,694 EUR (incl. Buyer’s Premium). Estimated price was $750.

West Friesland 1758 is a common date for a “Djawa” countermarked ducats. However, it is one of the most beautiful “Djawa” c/m available to purchase in a few recent years.

Four variants of “Djawa” countermark are known to exist. Varieties A and B are genuine “Djawa” countermarks, more common than fake varieties C and D. Coin sold in CNG auction is a variety B of “Djawa” countermark. All these varieties are pictured and described in the Jasek’s book on page 60.

The Netherlands gold ducats countermarked with “Djawa” c/m are wanted by collectors, also because of their great history. On December 13, 1753 VOC (the Dutch East India Company, Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie in Dutch) decided to mark 11,450 Dutch ducats with reeded edge from various provinces with new round shaped countermark, bearing “Djawa” word written in Arabic letters. New countermark was made using punches, left of the knight. After countermarking those coins were put into circulation in Java and in East India, value was 6 Dutch guilders and 12 stivers each, meanwhile coins not countermarked were valued at 12 stivers less.

Countermarking with “Djawa” was oriented to limit the export of those coins from Asia and to limit the smuggling of Dutch ducats by private persons to Asia. From a placard published on January 8, 1760, ducats without reeded edge, bearing counterfeited “Djawa” countermark were in circulation. Countermarking with “Djawa” mark ended in 1761. Ducats with this countermark dated from 1753 to 1761 are known to exist.

You may see this coin here.