One of the purest gold coins ever minted - the legendary Netherland's Knight & Arrows Ducat with the Latin motto:  CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRESCUNT: “Through unity small things grow”

Please Note: This is an authentic Dutch East India Company Gold Ducat Treasure Coin, and you will receive the exact pendant in the photographs and description.

FOR PENDANT SIZE SEE VIDEO and COIN DETAILS BELOW

By the late 1500s the Netherlands was one of the most famed nations in the world. The Spanish were busy exploring and exploiting the New World, while the Dutch and British were building their trading organizations, journeying to India and the Far East to trade silver and gold for silks, spices, gems and exquisite blue and white porcelains.

In 1600 the British East India Company was granted a charter to trade in the Far East. The Dutch quickly followed, and in 1602, the Dutch East India Company, with their monogram, VOC (Verenigde Oost-indische Compagnie, meaning United East India Company), emblazoned on their goods, was founded and soon developed a massive trading organization throughout the East Indies.

The VOC, with an impressive fleet of merchant ships, established Dutch colonies all along their trade routes; in western Africa, South Africa, and at various locations in the East Indies including the strategic islands of Java, in Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. The two main “hub” ports were Galle Harbor and fort in Sri Lanka, and Batavia (now Jakarta), on Java.

Your Dutch East India Company Netherlands Ducat:

• Denomination: Ducat (DO-cot)
• Date: 1776 - Scarce, highly sought after date
• Mint: Holland, Netherlands
• Design: Knight standing in armor holding a sword and a bundle of arrows.
• Legend of Obverse: CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRESCUNT: “Through unity small things grow”
• Legend on Reverse: MOneta ORDinum PROVINciarum FOEDERatorum BELGicarum AD LEGem IMPeril; "Coin of the government of the provincial federation of Belgium conforming with the law of the imperial"
• Coin Metal: Gold, Fineness/Purity: 0.986 (23kt)
• Coin weight: 3.5 grams
• Bezel Metal: 18K Gold
• Articulating Nautical Shackle Bail with a 6.2mm inside diameter large enough to fit a high quality gold chain
• Pendant size including bezel (frame):  1” Across, 1-3/8” Tall - the width of a U.S. quarter

Note from Robert: WOW! That's the first thing I can say about this coin! Stunning, almost uncirculated. Just imagine the incredible world history unfolding when this coin was struck! 

I have handled (and recovered) a number of coins like this one. But this is the first time we have been able to offer the scarce and especially sought-after 1776 issue — seldom encountered among Holland’s familiar standing-knight ducats and particularly prized by American collectors for its historic date.

Struck in the momentous year of 1776, this Dutch VOC ducat was minted as Britain’s American colonies declared their independence and fought to establish a new nation. Although the Dutch Republic remained officially neutral, Dutch merchants—particularly through the Caribbean island of St. Eustatius—became vital suppliers of arms and provisions to the American cause. On November 16, 1776, St. Eustatius returned the salute of the American brig Andrew Doria, an event remembered as the “First Salute” to the flag of the newly independent United States. The Netherlands would formally recognize American independence in 1782.

I love working with these coins; the detailed artistry of the design is stunning. We created a special, luxury width 18K gold frame to gently hold the coin in place, giving it an incredible regal presence perfect for both a lady or gentleman.

I especially love the Latin motto appearing in abbreviated form on the obverse of the coin: Concordia res parvae crescunt—“Through unity small things grow.” It was an especially fitting sentiment in 1776, as thirteen individual colonies joined together in the creation of the United States of America. On a more personal level, it also speaks beautifully to April and me, to Cannon Beach Treasure Company, and to everything we have built—and continue to build—together.

Historical Note: Until the 16th Century, much of the area now known as the Netherlands was under the control of the Holy Roman Empire and Spain.  Led by William I of Orange, the Netherlands revolted in 1568.  In 1578, the country adopted the motto: CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRESCUNT: “Through unity small things grow,” a quote taken from Roman historian Sallust’s (86 BC – c. 35 BC) monograph, Jugurthine War.

As a high value trade coin, coins like this one made their way to Sri Lanka on board VOC ships hundreds of years ago. In the early 1990s, Robert recovered coins like these in Galle Harbor with a small team of local divers.

Your VOC Coin Pendant Comes Complete with:

1. Our 100% Authentic Lifetime Guarantee
2. A Detailed, Customized, Full Color, Multi-Page Photo Certificate of Authenticity Researched and Written by Robert Lewis Knecht. The COA even shows you how to read your coin!
3. Treasure Hunters Gazette Booklet
4. Mini Museum Display for when you are not wearing your treasure
5. A Treasure Jewelry Care Card