The scheepjesschelling — "little ship shilling" — takes its name from the small vessel that had appeared on Holland's coinage since the medieval period, a design retained here in gold as a pattern or proof-of-concept strike rather than a circulating issue. The KM#Pn2 designation confirms this: a piedfort or pattern, almost certainly produced for presentation or to demonstrate the dies rather than to supply trade.
Holland's monetary authority in this period was perpetually negotiating with the States-General over coinage rights, and prestige strikes in gold served a political function — circulated among regents and officials as demonstrations of provincial minting capability.
The scheepjesschelling — "little ship shilling" — takes its name from the small vessel that had appeared on Holland's coinage since the medieval period, a design retained here in gold as a pattern or proof-of-concept strike rather than a circulating issue. The KM#Pn2 designation confirms this: a piedfort or pattern, almost certainly produced for presentation or to demonstrate the dies rather than to supply trade.
Holland's monetary authority in this period was perpetually negotiating with the States-General over coinage rights, and prestige strikes in gold served a political function — circulated among regents and officials as demonstrations of provincial minting capability.