2 Mayo 2020: Greetings to all coin collectors, where-ever you might be. Heron is
pleased to report acquisition of a nice Copper coin issued by Federik Hendrik, Prince
of Orange and with full date 1640:
Obverse: At center is portrait of Prince Federik. Legend: FRED.HENR.D.G.PRIN.AVR.
English: Frederik Hendrik by the Grace of God Prince of Orange.
Reverse: At center are 3 fleurs-de-lis. Legend is DOVBLE TORNOIS 1640.
Note: Double Tornois = 2 Deniers.
Note: Coin is Copper and is 25mm dia.
Short History:
1163 - Principality status granted by Holy Roman Emperor Fred I.
1713 - Ceded to France by treaty of Utrecht.
Note: Fred Hendrik Prince of Orange was also Stadtholder of Holland, Zeeland
Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel in the 'Dutch Republic' 1625-1647.
He was also Stadtholder of Groningen 1640-1647. For 22 years was head of
Govt. in the United Provinces of the Netherlands.
Note: Principality of Orange was located in south of what is now France. On the
East bank of the River Rhone surrounded by the Papal State of Comtat
Venaissen.
Note: The Principality of Orange was a vassal state to the Holy Roman Empire.
Note: The word Orange is Aurantiaco in Latin. This explains the part of legend
D.G. PRIN.AVR. The AVR is abbreviation for the Latin Aurantiaco.
Note: The word Orange is Orange in French language.
Note: The word Orange is Oranje in Nederlander language.
Some Info Sources:
Googly coin Images Orange Double Tornois 1640.
1911- Encyclopedia Britannica House of Orange.
Frederik Hendrik Prince of Orange - en.wiki.
Principality of Orange - en.wiki.
Numista Coin Info Double Tornois Principality of Orange 1640.
List of States of Holy Roman Empire - en.wiki.
**This was an interesting item for researching. Heron saw the listing on eBay
and decided to research further and discovered that this small Principality
was a vassal state of the Holy Roman Empire. Because it was connected to
the Holy Roman Empire Heron decided to include this in the Europa Central
& Oest accumulation. The reverse design is 'French' but that is because
Prince of Orange sided with France during the French war against Spain.
Another nice Copper coin added to the Copper coin segment of the small
accumulation along with this being a 'vassal state' of the Holy Roman Empire.
A lot of history and some geography connected to this coin! And now is Nr
455 in the Central & Oest coin accumulation. This coin collecting hobby is
truly a great hobby! So much to learn. **
