Duit Rooster

Historical Context: The Duit Rooster, issued by West Friesland from 1741 to 1754, circulated during a significant period for the Dutch Republic. This era spanned the conclusion of the Second Stadtholderless Period and the re-establishment of the Stadtholderate under William IV from 1747. As a constituent province, West Friesland minted these low-denomination copper coins, crucial for daily commerce. These provincial duits highlighted regional economic autonomy and facilitated local transactions within its mercantile framework.

Artistry: The Duit Rooster's design reflects the practical, utilitarian aesthetic typical of 18th-century Dutch provincial coinage. Specific engravers are unrecorded for common issues; the style represents a functional, simplified interpretation of Baroque numismatic art. The obverse consistently features West Friesland's provincial arms, often depicting two lions supporting a crowned shield with the Frisian eagle. The reverse prominently displays the symbolic rooster, representing vigilance, usually atop a column, with the "DUIT" denomination and date.

Technical/Grading: Struck in copper (3.22 gg, 21 mm), the Duit Rooster often exhibits variable strike quality. High-points susceptible to wear include the lions' manes and crown on the obverse, and the rooster's comb, wattle, and tail feathers on the reverse. Technical strike characteristics frequently include planchet imperfections (laminations, irregular shapes) and off-center strikes. Details, particularly in higher relief areas, can be weakly impressed even on well-preserved specimens, requiring careful overall strike evaluation.