Dreaming Dukaats With Historical Significance

you can find a cheaper one of equal quality of that year?

That particular event in 1672 and broad implications on World History, including in the New World. Additionally, sieze coins tend to bring a premium. This was a cruicible moment in European History, a true inflection point.

I have thumbed through parts of Henzen's listings on MA-SHops several times (for southern Low Countries medievals), and always passed, feeling I would have better luck getting the coins at a more reasonable price at auction. I think for more "common" coins, there is quite a markup above auction results on comparable coins.

But this is a different kettle of fish, because the coin comes up for sale so infrequently.

You've probably done your research. If it fills a special spot in your collection, you've got the cash, and aren't worried about any downside if we're in a bubble, (I don;t because I'm not planning on re-selling what I buy), sure, why not? You may not see another come along for 5 years.

At this level, I'm sure you could always try to negotiate, too.

In this case, my response changes to don't.
Going into debt for a hobby by anything more than 30 days is a huge no-no in my book.

Reflecting back on this point by @NumisEd:



It may already be the case. I recently ran across the sale of a unique 14th c. coin from this part of the world. The selling price? A mere $16,000.

I am not a student of Dutch history, so I don't know about 1672. It certainly isn't a year that comes up in history classes taught in the U.S. And that comment I made had more to do with my surprise that a unique coin from anywhere in the industrialized world could sell for so little, which was probably more a statement on the weak demand for medievals.

From the little I do know of Dutch history, I am a bit surprised that the earlier Dutch struggle for independence is never mentioned in discussions of the American one that came 2 centuries later. Or at least not that I can remember from my last American history course, but that was nearly 50 years ago.

For Americans - and the Dutch - the English Civil War and the establishment of the English Commonwealth 20-30 years earlier are far more important for democratic Parliamentary government.

It didn't cost $27,000 to put this coin in my wallet. I've carried it for the last 20 years.



I didn't learn this in American schools. I'm sure it's taught at university level to a few World History students, but not to me. I learned it because I read and the subject interests me.

History debate!

The importance of Cromwell and the ascendency of Parliamentary government in England cannot be understated, especially for American history. The English Civil War is a prototype of the American Revolution. Given that America was an isolated English colony, the importance of the Dutch is limited to peculiar names of towns along the Hudson River and the story of Rip Van Winkle....and of course the daalder.... America's government is grounded in English civil law, and shaped by Enlightenment thinking, which was not particularly Dutch.

The Dutch contributed immensely to England later, with the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the seating of William of Orange as king (by invitation). England after Cromwell devolved towards absolute monarchy again, and it took a Dutchman to right them on their path.