Lot 305

Pewter Tang or Larijn ND (1660) Batavia (Passon 4.2; Scho. 20 RRRR) - 10.19 gram - length 32 mm, width 13 mm., at either end stamped with a sword with laurel wreath (Coat of Arms of Batavia) and folded once over. Owing to the shortage of coins of small denomination, which had led to great disturbances and troubles, and in order to accommodate the indigenous population, the Batavian Government by a Res. of Nov. 9, 1658, decided to prepare at Batavia copper “Tangen” of the same shape as those on the coast of India, Ceylon, Coromandel, Bengal and Aracan, having at either end a small mark to prevent them from being shortened, and to declare them current at the rate of an “Oortje” (2 Doits). In due course the mintmaster for the production of these emergency pieces, found the copper at hand so hard that it was impracticable for the purpose. Consequently, by Res. dated May 28, 1660, directions were given that these “Tangs” were to be made of pewter instead of copper - VF - Exceptionally rare issue