Hollandse duit, 1769 1769

This is a copper Hollandse duit coin, minted in 1769 by the province of Holland. The coin’s imagery provides a fascinating insight into the socio-political climate of the Dutch Republic during the 18th century. We see a lion, the symbol of the province, standing proudly within a fenced garden, holding a staff topped with a hat, a symbol of freedom. On the reverse, the word 'Hollandia' is inscribed, a conscious reference to the Roman era. The choice of imagery would have resonated with the values of the Dutch elite, evoking the historical struggle for independence and prosperity through trade. In understanding this object, we can turn to archival records from the States of Holland. These records will provide details of the economic policies that dictated the need for the coin, its value, and its distribution. This duit is, then, a small but powerful statement of identity and authority.