Lion daalder

Date1650

MediumSilver

DimensionsDiameter: 42 mm Weight: 415.8 grains

Credit LineGift of the Lasser family

Object number1999-239,235

DescriptionObverse: Knight standing to left and looking to right. Shield bearing rampant lion in front of his legs.

Reverse: Rampant lion to left.
Label TextMinted from 1575 to 1731, Lion Dollars were produced by all of the Dutch provinces and the three Imperial cities, Deventer, Campen and Zwolle. Huge quantities were struck and although their weight was consistent and their silver quality was high, they were not like modern issues where virtually each and every piece is an exact duplicate of its predecessor and successor. Handmade dies were created with individual punches for letters, emblems and flourishes, etc, and a limited lifespan insured the creation of innumerable dies, resulting in countless variants of Lion Dollars.

They were common throughout the Mediterranean and eastward along the Silk Road to Persia. Fleets carried them not only to the Spice Islands and Philippines, but also to Latin America and North America, including the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam (later New York). Everywhere Dutch sailors and merchants traded, Lion Dollars, also popularly known as "Dog Dollars" were readily accepted as payment not only for food and supplies but also for exotic silks and spices.

Delmonte-845
InscribedObverse: "MO ARG PRO CONFOE BELG TRA" (Silver money of the Belgic Confederation, Utrecht).

Reverse: "CONFIDENS DNO NON MOVETUR 1650" (Confidence in the Lord is unmoving).

Exhibition(s)