Netherlands: Centenary of the Dutch East India Company (VOC)
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Form:
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Curcular
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By:
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R. Arondeaux |
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Date:
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1702 |
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Ref:
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AM2: 1; Laidlaw: 0556;
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Variations:
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| Size | Metal | Mass | Value |
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| 67 mm | Gold | 183 gm | Rare | | 67 mm | Silver | | $3,500 |
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Edge:
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Plain.
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Obverse:
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Crowned Hollandia seated looking left towards sea, right hand holding a sword capped with a laurel wreath (arms of Batavia), left hand holding the Company charter with Dutch seal, arm resting on a book placed on a pedestal with the letter C (for 100), right foot resting on a tortoise (eastern symbol for the world). Pillar behind bearing the coat of arms of the United Provinces of the Netherlands. Two cornucopias spilling onto the ground, Bird of Pallas far right. Legend above: “IN ALTERA SAECULA PERGO (progress in the next century)” and in the exergue: “MDCCII”.
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Reverse:
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Galley with single sail at Pillars of Hercules on left and further left radiant sun above sea. From mast head, pennant with the VOC monogram of the Dutch East India Company. Six oarsmen along port side of ship carrying shields bearing arms of the cities or provinces where the chambers of the Company were located (Amsterdam, Middelburg, Delft, Rotterdam, Hoorn and Enkhuizen). Blades of oars arrow-shaped signifying unity of the provinces. Behind helmsman, Neptune with trident rears up, beckoning the ship forward. At stern, shield with clasped hands bordered by wreath surmounted by crown of Holland. Legend: “INVIA NULLA VIA”. In the exergue: “FAVENTE DEO”. Together meaning, “No way is impossible with God to assist”. Signed: “ARONDEAUX F.” at foot.
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Notes:
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The Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie; VOC) was a multinational corporation founded in 1602 from a government-directed consolidation of several rival Dutch trading companies. It received a charter giving it a monopoly to trade in spices with India and other Southeast Asian countries. It developed into a hugely wealthy enterprise and became effectively a world power in its own right. The Company undertook early development of the Cape and the Dutch people who settled were the forebears of the present day Afrikaners. The VOC was dissolved 1800 and its territorial possessions became Dutch colonies.
This gold medal is held in the British Museum.
This silver medal sold for £1,500; DNW auction, 1st July 2008, lot 2441. An example of the silver medal sold for £3,400; Baldwin auction 93, 5 May 2015, lot 583.
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