Shipped by the VOC to meet demand in Asian markets, “payement” coins are among the most fascinating Dutch shipwreck finds. Discover the story behind these rare coins and the four wrecks where they have been recovered.
“Payement” was a specialised group of Dutch silver coins shipped by the VOC to meet demand in Asian markets. Discover the fascinating story behind these coins and the four shipwrecks where freshly minted examples have been recovered.
What began with a love for pirate tales grew into a lifelong passion for shipwreck coins. From auction discoveries to handling legendary pieces like the Mexico Royal 8 Escudos, his journey blends history, authenticity, and the thrill of real treasure.
Explore the legal framework surrounding Australian shipwreck artifacts, with a focus on recent enforcement actions involving Zuytdorp coins. An important read for collectors of material from protected Dutch shipwrecks!
Discover the shocking story behind one of the largest shipwreck coin scams in modern times. This article exposes how Gulfstream Rarities flooded the market with fake Bredenhof duits and other shipwreck coins — deceiving collectors worldwide. Learn how to spot these forgeries and protect yourself.
This set features gold ducats recovered from three VOC shipwrecks: De Liefde, Akerendam, and Vliegenthart. Minted for trade with the East, these coins were lost at sea before entering circulation. Their recovery sheds light on the VOC’s maritime history and the role of gold coinage in early Dutch overseas expansion.
In 1770, the Dutch East Indiaman Leimuiden sank off Boa Vista, taking with it a rare cargo of VOC-made gold bars. Centuries later, only one was ever recovered—an 18-karat, 4.92 kg bar, unique in its history. Briefly displayed in a Dutch museum in 2000, it was stolen and never seen again.
In 1656, the VOC ship Vergulde Draeck ran aground off the west coast of Australia, carrying a valuable cargo of silver coins. While 75 crew members survived the wreck, their fate remains unknown. Despite rescue efforts and later discoveries of artifacts, the ship’s story is still one of Australia’s greatest maritime mysteries.
The 1719 wreck of the Loosdrecht reveals a story of maritime tragedy, rare coin recoveries, and the enduring efforts of diver Martin Woodward to uncover its hidden past.
The VOC ship Merestein met its end off the South African coast in 1701, carrying a valuable cargo of silver intended for trade in the East Indies. Though early recovery efforts failed, modern salvage operations have uncovered thousands of silver coins, shedding light on the VOC’s global trading legacy.