Royal Dutch Mint continues its Ducat-based look at the beautiful castles that helped build the nation

The Royal Dutch Mint continues its journey through the castles of the Netherlands with the release of the third in their silver Ducat range. Taking over from the now complete Twelve Province Ducats, ‘Dutch Castles’ will run for another set period, before, we’d imagine, the RDM will start a differently themed Ducat range.

This release is the third castle coin this year and closely follows the same pattern, with the figure of Godard de Ginkell back again, along with the heraldic shield. The obverse is a common one for the series, so remains unchanged here. The one major differentiator between issues, is the background field of the reverse face, which depicts a specific castle in this European nation.

Hoensbroek Castle joins Heeswijk Castle and De Haar Castle as the subject of choice. It’s another of those elegant structures that were the symbols of power of their time. One of the biggest castles in the Netherlands, it dates back to at least 1360, although a motte and bailey castle was present on the site around 150 years earlier. It remains a popular tourist attraction today, as a museum.

The relatively rare 0.873 fineness silver makes up the coins composition, of which there is a standard ounce used. They are struck to a proof finish, and come presented in a themed tin with an enclosed Certificate of Authenticity. A nice series, despite the lacklustre official images, and one we’re considering adding to our Coin Series Profile, one that currently covers Twelve Province Ducats, but could be expanded to add these also. One more of these is due this year, and failing any more coronavirus outbreaks, should debut in October.

MINTS DESCRIPTION

Hoensbroek Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in Europe. The castle has over forty authentically decorated rooms: from a beautiful and elegant ballroom to a dark, lurid dungeon. Save for a few periods, Hoensbroek Castle was inhabited for seven centuries. Its history starts in the fourteenth century with knight Herman Hoen, the first lord of the Van Hoensbroeck family. For almost six hundred years the castle was wandered by knights, counts and marquesses.

All residents together form a colourful lineage of noble ladies and gentlemen. Famous Dutch writer and poet Bertus Aafjes and his family resided in the castle between 1951 and 1973. The castle has served many purposes, two of the most important being a defensive castle and a residential building. The immense medieval tower is a landmark in the scenery and draws you towards the castle. As soon as you enter, its splendor is stunning. It is as if time stood still.

REVERSE: shows, as stated in the Dutch Mint Act, an armoured knight with a shield in front of his left leg. Godard de Ginkell, who enters the stage in the “Dutch Castles” series, is depicted in front of Hoensbroek Castle. On his shield the province weapon of Limburg can be found. On the issue the inscription “MO.NO.ARG.REG.BELGII.LIMB.” can be read. “MO.NO.ARG.REG.BELGII.” is the Latin abbreviation for “Moneta Nova Argenta Regni Belgii”: New Silver coin of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. “LIMB.” stands for the province of Limburg.

OBVERSE: we see the National coat of arms of the Netherlands with the Royal Crown between the numbers of the year and the inscription CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRESCUNT, ‘Unity makes Strength’, the mint mark and the privy mark.