The unsolved mystery of the Vlissingen shipwreck
Ultimately, Europe is the Mecca for treasure hunters. Conversely, when it comes to finding lost treasures Namibia unfortunately does not provide the same opportunities.
Consequently, if the opportunity does arise to find any kind of possible treasure then my interest is immediately sparked. Such an opportunity arose on a visit to Meob Bay which was determined to be the last resting place of the Vlissingen. The treasures to look out for were 1746 copper coins (Duiten) and 1743 Silver Pillar Dollars.
On 9 January 1747, the 130 feet long United Dutch East India Company (VOC) ship Vlissingen left the Netherlands, on its 5th journey. Unfortunately for the Company and the 227 crew aboard, the vessel was never to return. Bearing in mind that the Vlissingen reported that many of its crew were already sick when still in the North Atlantic, it is highly likely that illness and death played a role in the demise of the vessel, besides the structural damage she had incurred. Bad weather at the time of crossing the Atlantic could have been another contributing factor. To this day the circumstances of her vanishing remains a mystery.
As part of her cargo she carried thousands of copper coins (Doits / Duiten) and an unidentified amount of silver dollars.
The Duiten were specifically minted for the Zeeland Chamber of the Dutch East India Company. The coins were struck in 1746, in the town of Middelburg. It was common practice for outward-bound vessels to carry coins and bar metal that was used as currency to obtain Asiatic goods. Homeward-bound ships mainly carried oriental products such as spices, textiles and porcelain, as well as large quantities of Dutch coins. The coins found near Meob Bay dated 1746, indicated that they had probably not been in circulation and were on their way to the Dutch trading posts in the East.
Old diamond mining reports dating back to the early 20th century mention silver and copper coins being found scattered along a part of the Namibian coast near Meob Bay. The silver coins originated from Mexico when this was still a Spanish colony and were used by the VOC to trade in the East Indies, moreover also known as the romantic “piece of eight” and was the very first U.S. Dollar in the United States until 1857. These coins were actually “cut” into 8 pieces, for change.
A couple of years ago a tour guide made a spectacular discovery between the sand dunes at Conception Water, hundreds of copper Duiten lay scattered on the sand. It is suspected that a miner, labourer or traveler collected them whilst walking along the beach. Obviously, the bag with its useless contents did not withstand the harsh elements resulting in it rupturing scattering the coins onto the ground. Indeed, a spectacular find.
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