Unique Gold Coin from Curaçao Sold at Record Auction Price
A rare gold coin from Curaçao was auctioned in the United States for $390,400, or a little over 336,000 euros, according to the Dutch broadcaster NOS. Never before has so much been paid for a coin from the former Dutch colony. The auction house Stack's Bowers Galleries had expected at least $100,000.
The piece is a 180 reales coin, the currency of Curaçao until 1828, dating from around 1815. According to the auction house, only one example is known. It was originally a Brazilian gold johannes worth 12,800 reis, named after the Portuguese king João V, who introduced the coin in 1722.
What makes it special are the so-called kloppen, or countermarks. On Curaçao, authenticity marks were stamped by another government, after which the coin was valid there. That was practical, since the island was an important transit route for trade with South America. Such marks are normally seen only on 6,400-reis coins, but according to the auction house this is the only one with an original value of 12,800 reis. The assayer's marks are clearly visible in the king's portrait on the obverse.
What I find most appealing is the story behind it. The johannes's success was also its downfall: it was often counterfeited and lost value. When the public could have their coins tested in 1819, 15,858 of the 26,906 pieces turned out to be substandard and were confiscated. Many others were melted down for their gold, which is why this one example became unique.
Source: NOS
The piece is a 180 reales coin, the currency of Curaçao until 1828, dating from around 1815. According to the auction house, only one example is known. It was originally a Brazilian gold johannes worth 12,800 reis, named after the Portuguese king João V, who introduced the coin in 1722.
What makes it special are the so-called kloppen, or countermarks. On Curaçao, authenticity marks were stamped by another government, after which the coin was valid there. That was practical, since the island was an important transit route for trade with South America. Such marks are normally seen only on 6,400-reis coins, but according to the auction house this is the only one with an original value of 12,800 reis. The assayer's marks are clearly visible in the king's portrait on the obverse.
What I find most appealing is the story behind it. The johannes's success was also its downfall: it was often counterfeited and lost value. When the public could have their coins tested in 1819, 15,858 of the 26,906 pieces turned out to be substandard and were confiscated. Many others were melted down for their gold, which is why this one example became unique.
Source: NOS
Comments 0
Leave the first comment, in any language.
Log in to comment