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Auction: 407 - The Numismatic Collector's Series: Coins, Medals, Banknotes, Jewelry and Autographs - e-Auction
Lot: 242

1596 American Commerce. AR Jeton, 30.1 mm. Middleburg mint. Betts-17, Van Loon (new edition) 1596.23. The ancient sailor Arion, playing a harp, being carried ashore on a dolphin; Latin legend: "Now filled with hope and now with fear", rev. Arms of Zeeland; "I strive and emerge". This jeton commemorates the flourishing of commerce that began in 1696 when the Dutch state offered prizes for the discovery of a better route to China. The vessels of Holland visited Brazil and St. Thomas, returning laden with timber and cargoes of sugar. Choice Extremely Fine.