Description:
This silver six stuivers coin was minted in the Dutch city of Enkhuizen in 1678. These handsome ship design coins were known as scheepjesschilling "ship shilling." The obverse side of this Dutch coin features a large sailing ship with the inscription DEUS FORTITUDO ET SPES NOSTRA "God Our Strength and Hope." The reverse depicts two lions in a crowned coat of arms with the 1678 date and the legend MO NO ORDIN WEST FRISIA "The Order of West Friesland."
During the 17th century, Enkhuizen was at the peak of its power and was one of the most important harbor cities in the Netherlands. Located in the region of West Friesland, Enkhuizen was a main port of the VOC Dutch East India Company, from where overseas trade with the East Indies was conducted. Today, large parts of the inner city, built in the 17th century, are still intact including the city walls, gates, tower and the city hall.
Throughout this period, the Dutch Empire grew to become one of the world’s major seafaring and economic powers. The Dutch East India Company and the Dutch West India Company established outposts all over the world and these stuiver coins were used in the shipping trade. Dutch ships hunted whales in the Arctic Sea, traded spices in India and Indonesia and founded colonies in the New World. Many economic historians regard the Netherlands as the first capitalist country in the world. This new nation flourished culturally and economically in its golden age.
