DUCATOONS, DUCATONS, SILVER DUCATS AND SILVER RIDERS

These silver coins worth 3.15 guilders each, were struck from 1618-1795 by various cities and provinces. The coins that were struck under Spanish kings usually have the Spanish arms. The term also refers to the Dutch silverrijders or silver riders, so called after the knight on horseback depicted on them. Silver riders were also called silver ducats, which can be confusing. These pieces were abandoned in the Netherlands as a medium of exchange after 1816. At the Cape ducatoons and rijksdaalders were worth about 72 stivers (60c) and 48 stivers (40c) respectively.

The Dutch rijksdaalder from which the English term rixdollar is derived was a full dollar equal to the Spanish real. The prefix (empire or kingdom) served to distinguish it from the other dollars. The value of the rixdollar was initially 2½ gulden. The silver ducats of the same value were also called rijksdaalders

A selection of ducatoons and silver riders minted at various provinces of the United Netherlands:

Campen (Campine Kempen)

Crowned lion shield in inner circle. Armored knight behind lion shield in inner dotted circle. Rev: Rampart lion in inner dotted circle.

Gelderland (Gelria)  Gel in legend.

Standing Warrior. Rev arms.

Holland (Hollandia)

The same as Utrecht.

Overyssel (Transisulania) Transi in legend 

Bust of Philip 111 of  Spain. Rev lion holding sword and sheaf of arrows.

Utrecht (Trajectum) Tra in legend.

Warrior on galloping horse.  Rev. Two lions supporting coat of arms. (the famous silver rider).

West Friesland (West Frisia) Westfri in legend.

Warrior over arms. Rev. Lion holding sword and sheaf of arrows.

Zeeland  Zel in legend.

Warrior over arms. Rev. 7 shields.

Zwolle

Eagle. Rev. arms.

Leeuwendaalder and half-leeuwendaalder dated 1683 and 1640 respectively