Catalog
2 Duiten 'Papegaaitje' Uniface
| Issuer | Colonial Administration of Suriname |
|---|---|
| Year | 1679 |
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| Shape | Round (irregular) |
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| Obverse description | Central device depicting a parrot ('papegaai') perched facing left atop a leafy branch, rendered in bold relief with clearly articulated plumage and talons. The denomination numeral '2' appears prominently in the upper right field. A horizontal exergual panel at the base of the design bears the Latin inscription 'AN・1679', indicating the year of issue. The coin's periphery is bordered by a beaded or rope-like inner rim. The overall die work is characteristic of provincial hammered coinage, with a somewhat irregular flan typical of the period. |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | 2 AN・1679 (Translation: Year) |
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| Additional information |
Suriname had been in English hands until 1667, when the Dutch traded it for New Amsterdam — what is now Manhattan — under the Treaty of Breda. The colonial administration that followed almost immediately faced a chronic shortage of small change, and these locally produced copper pieces were an emergency response to that problem. The "Papegaaitje" nickname, meaning "little parrot," reflects local usage rather than any official designation.
The uniface production method — struck on one face only — points to improvised minting conditions rather than a properly equipped facility.