Netherlands East Indies. Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (VOC), Batavia. Batavian Crown of 48

Netherlands East Indies. Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (VOC), Batavia. Batavian Crown of 48 Stivers (Bataviase Kroon of Reaal van 48 Stuivers), 1646. 38.7 mm. 23.72 gms. Cast Silver. Upright sword, blade over laurel wreath whose ribbon ends flank hilt guard, within braided central circle; (floriate scroll) ANNO o 1646 (floriate scroll) BATAVIAE o, rev. VOC monogram, pellet between the "O" and "C", value o48oSTo above, crown c/m stamped between the monogram and value, within braided central circle, four floriated scrolls around in outer border. Scholten--, Buckhill--, Dav.--, KM--. The 1646 Crown is essentially unknown. Buckhill does comment that one is listed in the 1895 Batavian Museum catalog, but has doubts whether it existed and never saw it. However, Netscher and Van der Chijs, who first studied these coins, both noted Half Crowns and Quarter Crowns dated 1646. Given that, it would be perfectly likely that Crowns would have also been produced especially since the coinage was only withdrawn nearly 10 months into 1647. The design of this coin differs slightly from the 1645 Crown, a design feature Bucknill notes as being found on 24 and 12 Stuiver from 1646. This would suggest that a new master die was made. The crown c/m may have been applied as a means to foil contemporary counterfeiters in Batavia. The c/m, though, may have been applied much later as a collection symbol. Typical somewhat irregular, faceted edged. Some evidence of submersion in sea water. About Uncirculated, unique and of the Highest Rarity - the only known Dollar size coin issued in Southeast Asia dated 1646.