The Royal Dutch Mint have unveiled (6th June) the designs of two new coins in the “Dutch heritage” series which began last year. The Kingdom of the Netherlands celebrates its bi-centenary in 2015 when the modern Kingdom was created after the defeat of Napoleonic forces in 1813. Prince William of Orange landed in the coastal city of Scheveningen in 1813 and headed a government which eventually resulted in the formation of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands – including the territory of present-day Belgium who, eventually ceded from the union in 1830.
This series will include a total of nine coins which will mark specific events, personalities and anniversaries during the next eight years (2012 to 2020) The first set of coins, the Amsterdam Canal Belt Gold and Silver Coins, which began the new series were issued in October 2012. The latest theme, the Rietveld Schroderhuis coins, are the second issue. The third coins will highlight the Kinderdijkse Mills. The first three sets of coins in this series have all been designed by Tine Melzer.
This new set is especially important in the overall series as these are the first coins to depict on the obverse the Netherlands’ new King, Willem-Alexander. who succeeded to the Dutch Throne in April after the abdication of his mother, Queen Beatrix. The reverse design includes a depiction of The Rietveld Schröder House, which is one of the best known examples of De Stijl (the “style”) architecture and arguably the only true De Stijl building in the whole country. It constitutes both inside and outside a radical and intentional break with all architecture before it. The two-story house is situated in the city of Utrecht, at the end of a terrace, but it makes no attempt to relate to its neighboring buildings and faces a motorway built in the 1960s.
The coin includes a linear sketch of the initial drawings which is positioned in the middle of a world map which is textured as though the continents were derived from a fingerprint. The denomination of five or Ten Euro is just above the central design. The coins are issued as part of the EUROPA silver star series with the insignia appearing on the reverse along with the UNESCO logo.
|
Denomination |
Metal |
Weight |
Diameter |
Quality |
Mintage |
|
5 €URO |
plated |
10.5 grams |
29 mm. |
BU |
10,000 pieces |
|
5 €URO |
925 silver |
15.5 grams |
33 mm. |
proof |
12,500 pieces |
|
10 €URO |
900 gold |
6,72 grams |
22.5 mm. |
Proof |
2000 pieces |
For more information on this and other coins offered by the Royal Dutch Mint, please visit their website at: http://www.knm.nl/Rietveld-Vijfje/nl/page/773/ Information offered in Dutch – European destination orders fulfilled.
I want to purchase Rietveld Schroder House gold and silver commemorative coins. So is it better than 2012 Canal commemorative coins?
It’s not necessarily better than the previous issue, the coin is part of an overall 9 coin series which will be issued until 2020 to feature specific anniversaries or noteworthy aspects of Dutch culture and life during the bi-centenary of the modern Dutch Kingdom which will be celebrated in 2015.
The last issue is of particular interest as the 2012 coin is the first & last year which will include Queen Beatrix’s portrait since she abdicated in April. This coin is also important in the series as it is the first coin to carry the new portrait of King Willem-Alexander so, there’s a little something there for many types of coin collectors. The next coin in the series will have a similar look to the 2012 and 2013 as they are all designed by the same artist – we will see if the Royal Dutch Mint continue the modern look of the series and also of the former Queen’s coins or, if they take on a more traditional look.
This series is not meant to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Kingdom, which, btw is this year (2013) and not in 2015. It was one of the reasons that Queen Beatrix choose to abdicate, and so far only a medal has been issued in preparation of this commemoration, which will no doubt also include the issuance of a commemorative coin or coins.
As for this series, it is meant to highlight Dutch sites which are included on UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites list. It has nothing to do with the anniversary of the kingdom. As for the series, it will be released in three sets of three coins designed by the same person.
2012: Amsterdam Canals
2013: Rietveld Schroder House
2014: Kinderdijkse Windmills
2015: Wadden Sea
2016: Defense line of Amsterdam
2017: Beemster Polder
2018: Willemstad
2019: Schokland
2020: Dr. D F Wouda Steam Pumping Station