By Coin and Currency Institute ……
The Dutch Gold Ducat and Double Gold Ducat are appearing in another variation of their traditional, classic design for their 2025 issue. The first Gold Ducat with the legendary standing knight was struck in Holland under the United Provinces in 1586. The first Double Ducat came from the province of Friesland in 1612. The Dutch Kingdom continued the practice. The coin has always had the same basic obverse of a standing knight accompanied by an ornate inscribed tablet on the reverse. The only variations reflect artistic liberties taken by mint engravers. The coins are based on the design of the engraver Johan Willem Marmé, the die cutter at the Utrecht Mint from 1763 to 1795. Marmé’s present-day successors in Utrecht have taken his original design, characterized by a distinct helmet and accurate, detailed buttons on the knight’s outfit, and adapted it to the requirements of 21st-century minting.
The 2025 issues are the last in a series begun in 2022 that highlights the commodities that played a key role in Dutch trade history during the Ducat era. This year, it is the coffee trade, depicted by a pile of coffee beans at the left of the reverse.
The coffee bean was discovered in Ethiopia and brought to Yemen by merchants. There, the beans were further distributed across the Arabian Peninsula. In the 16th century, people in Europe became acquainted with the coffee bean, and in the 17th century, it was the Dutch who became the first commercial coffee-exporting country due to the cultivation of coffee plantations on Celebes and Sumatra. The Netherlands was also a major player in the trading of coffee in Europe. Today, an average of 2.4 cups of coffee per day is consumed in the Netherlands.
The obverse of the 2025 ducat coins show the traditional knight in armor with arrows. The Latin phrase Concordia Res Parvae Crescunt (“Small things flourish by concord”–better known as “Unity makes Strength”) is engraved on this side. On the reverse is the Latin Mo. Aur. Reg. Belgii Ad Legem Imperii (“Gold coin of the Kingdom of the Netherlands by law of the Empire”).
The coins are made using the Dutch ducat standard of .983 fine gold. The single Gold Ducat weighs 3.494 grams and is 21 mm in diameter. It can be reserved for $725. The 26 mm Double Gold Ducat weighs 6.988 grams and costs $1,350. Both are in wooden cases with numbered certificates. These prices include the 10% tariff imposed on imports by United States Customs.
The single Gold Ducat and its companion coin, the Double Gold Ducat, are both minted only in proof quality and are being offered on a reservation-only basis until May 29. Sales will then close, and the mintage will be restricted by the Mint to the number of orders received. The issued amounts in 2024 were 742 Gold Ducats and only 619 Double Ducats.
The Mint advises that delivery will be in September. The coins will only be charged to buyers when they are shipped.
Orders are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis until May 29, 2025. For more information on the coins or to order, visit www.coin-currency.com or contact the Coin and Currency Institute, P.O. Box 399, Williston, VT 05495. Toll-free 1-800-421-1866. Fax 802-536-4787. E-mail: [email protected]. Add $8.75 per order for insured Priority Mail. Vermont residents should add 6% sales tax. Major credit cards and PayPal are accepted.
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