2016-05-10 Tue

The Dutch East India Company was founded in 1602 and flourished for two centuries. It’s believed to be the first multinational corporation in the world and the first company to issue stock.

A medal will be on sale at the Nomos Ag’s May 22nd auction. The silver medal, dated around the 1660s, is made of a two part cast united by a rim during the prosperous period in the Netherlands after the Peace of Westphalia.

The design marks the founding of the company. It possessed quasi-governmental powers, including the ability to wage war, imprison and execute convicts, negotiate treaties, strike its own coins, and establish colonies.

The obverse of the medal depicts a sailing vessel used for trade and the reverse bears the arms of Zeeland, base to the company. The obverse legend translates to “ruler of the sea, lord of the land” and the reverse legend means “struggle and rise from the waves.” The after-cast working and polished fields are typical to cast medals.

The Extremely Fine medal has an estimate of 1,750 Swiss francs.