2019-06-25 Tue

The Royal Dutch Mint issued a new commemorative coin featuring Beemster UNESCO Heritage Site. Out of the 10 UNESCO world heritage sites in the Kingdom of Netherlands, seven have already been featured on a special coin-series that was introduced in 2012. The Beemster coin is the 8th coin in this series and the 2nd commemorative coin released by the Royal Dutch Mint in 2019.

The obverse side depicts edges and lines of the Beemster landscape within a portrait of King Willem-Alexander. The reverse side features a map of the Beemster, also with similar edges and lines, apart from other symbols such as a cow, a stolpboerderij, the bell-jar farm with a raised shed roof that takes a pyramid shape. The 6.72 grams proof .900 fine gold €10 version has a diameter of 22.5 mm, costs $487.50 USD and has a mintage limit of 800 pieces. The 15.5 grams .925 fine sterling silver proof coin has a diameter of 33 millimetres, costs $67.5 and has a mintage limit of 4,000 pieces. The 10.5 grams uncirculated silver-plated copper €5 coin has a diameter of 29 millimetres, costs $19.75 and has a mintage limit of 12,500 pieces.

From 1609 to 1612, water from the low-lying Beemster area was extracted by windmills. Agricultural lands, roads, canals, dikes, and settlements were developed in this area according to Renaissance period planning. Most of the religious, residential and farm buildings along with a mill, a smith, water authority buildings and bridges, five forts have been preserved at this site. It was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO 20 years ago. Beemster is also known all over the world for its rich creamy milk and delicious cheese. Image Courtesy: The Royal Dutch Mint