Ducaton of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, excavated from the wreck site of the ZUYTDORP
Date1660-1679
Object number00048971
NameCoin
MediumSilver, 93%
DimensionsOverall: 43 mm, 22.59 g
ClassificationsCoins and medals
Credit LineANMM Collection Transferred from Australian Netherlands Committee on Old Dutch Shipwrecks
HistoryThe ducaton coin originated in sixteenth century Italy. It was used between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries as a trade coin to rival the Spanish silver dollar or eight reales. Its use spread throughout the Spanish Empire. From there its use spread to the Netherlands in the 1660s.SignificanceAssociated with the oldest Dutch shipwreck discovered on the Australian coast this silver coin is representative of European presence near the Australian continent in the 17th century.
