Lot 342

Pitje 1744 (Passon 18.1 R4 / Scho. - / N. VdCh. - / Millies -) - 1,71 gram - Obv.: VOC-monogram / AO 1744 / Rev.: Blank. These coins were struck in Batavia, made of lead and tin in approximately equal quantity. They were put into circulation on 14 February 1744, to the value of ¼ doit or 1/16 stiver and declared current in Batavia and on Java. Brief historical note: A proposal for the introduction of pitjes on Java and Madura was discussed on 3 December 1743 in Batavia. The initial proposal was to strike red-copper pitjes, but from the resolution of High Government of 16 January 1744 we learn, that the pitjes were made of lead and tin, in equal portions, as the production in copper proved to be too expensive and time consuming. Netcher - van der Chijs (1863), extensively discussed the proposal of 3 December (p.62-64) but concluded: “It doesn’t appear to us that the matter got continued: we even doubt it, because from the resolution of 22 December 1750 it appears that two years prior to it, the Indian Government had requested the Gentlemen XVII for the supply of half doits, which was followed up.” The archival truth, however, turned out to be different, as by the resolution of 16 January 1744 they were put into circulation on 14 February 1744 and “Declared current, here in Batavia as well as on Java, of pierced pitjes, made of lead and tin, with on one side the mark of the East India Company and on the other side the date 1744.” The pitjes, with a value of ¼ doit or 1/16 of a stiver, were made in the trade/craft centre of Batavia. The production was farmed out by auction to the Shahbandars. The Shahbandar (Persian, lit. “harbourmaster”) was in charge of the traders and the collection of taxes - VF+ - Extremely Rare - Ref.: Dutch-Indonesian placard-book, 1602-1811, vol. 5, p.111-112 & p.132); Netcher v.d. Chijs (Batavia, 1863); De Beeldenaar No. 5, sept/oct. 2020 p. 225-228