The Dutch East India Company ( Dutch: Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie, often known as VOC) was a chartered company which issued a considerable series of coinage in bronze, silver and gold for its territories in the Far East between 1602 and 1799.
The Dutch East India Company (VOC) was established as a chartered company in 1602 and was designed to replace a number of earlier Dutch trading companies. [1] To prevent the constant infighting between rival companies, the Dutch States-General gave the company officially recognised status and allowed it fulfill some functions usually reserved for a state. The company's charter allowed it to have its own military forces, make treaties, and coin its own money. [1] It was given full powers to act between the Cape of Good Hope and the Straits of Magellan. [1] The company grew rapidly, founding towns and colonies at Cape Town, Batavia (modern Jakarta), and elsewhere. [1]
During the 200 years of its existence, VOC issued large quantities and many different patterns of coins. [2] Writers on the subject distinguish between the types produced in the Netherlands for the company and those issued by it locally in Asia. [2] Both types often circulated together, but European coins were more common in some areas than others. [2] Most coins issued for the company carried its distinctive monogram of the interlocked letters "VOC". [3] The most common denominations were the Guilder, Ducatoon, Stiver (or Stuiver) and Doit (Duit). Some fractions, like the Half-Doit, were also produced.
Coins were issued in the Netherlands during the mid-17th century and again from 1744 until its dissolution. [2] Coins were struck in gold, silver, bronze and, unusually, pewter. [2] They were issued by the local mints of the Netherlands, including Holland, Utrecht, Zeeland, Gelderland and Overijssel. [4]
The locally produced coins in Asia display more variation and were produced in gold, silver and bronze. [3] Countermarks are sometimes seen on these coins, either stamped by the company or by local private individuals. [5] Foreign coins, including Japanese Koban or Surat rupees, were sometimes countermarked by the company for its own use. [6]