| 12,500 gulden | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Country |
|
| Value |
ƒ12,500.00 |
| Years |
1999 (ND) |
| Measurements and composition | |
| Mass |
28.28 g |
| Diameter |
38 mm |
| Composition |
silver |
| Appearance | |
| Shape |
round |
| Edge |
reeded |
| Obverse |
Coat of arms of Suriname, branches, state title |
| Reverse |
Man and woman standing in front of a ship, value |
| v · d · e | |
The 12,500 gulden coin is a commemorative coin that was issued in 1999 by the Republic of Suriname. It was produced in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Hindu immigration to the area, which occurred on June 5, 1873, when British Indian contract workers arrived in Paramaribo on the Lalla Rookh. The piece had a face value equivalent to 12,500 gulden prior to its eventual demonetization, but was not intended for use in general circulation and was sold to collectors.
The coin is composed of .925 fine silver and has a mass of 28.28 grams and a diameter of 38 millimeters. It bears a reeded edge and, like most coins, is round in shape. Featured in the center of the obverse is the coat of arms of Suriname – which consists of an escutcheon containing an illustration of a sailing ship on water at the left, a five-pointed star in a lozenge in the center, and a depiction of a royal palm (Roystonea) at the right. This escutcheon is supported on both sides by an Arawak warrior with a bow and a quiver of arrows, wearing a loincloth and traditional headpiece. Below the escutcheon and its supporters, the arms also includes a scroll bearing the Latin text "JUSTITIA PIETAS FIDES" (English: "Justice - Piety - Fidelity"). Curved below the depiction of the arms is the word "SURINAME", and surrounding both the arms and the word is a circular border consisting of branches. Displayed in the middle of the reverse are two individuals – a man and a woman – standing on the ground in front of a sailing vessel, likely the Lalla Rookh. The value is arched above this illustration, inscribed as "12.500 GULDEN". Printed along the boundary of the piece is the Dutch legend "Suriname: 125 jaar Hindostaanse Immigratie" (English: "Suriname: 125th anniversary of the Hindustani Immigration"), which commences in an upward direction at the lower left periphery, arches downward at the top of the coin, and concludes at the bottom right rim. Inscribed below the central illustration is the text "• 1873 • 5 juni • 1998 •", the former date of 5 juni 1873 (June 5, 1873) representing the date the Lalla Rookh arrived in Suriname with the Indian immigrants and the latter date of 5 juni 1998 signifying the 125th anniversary of the event.
In total, only approximately 1000 examples of this coin were produced, all in proof quality.
References[]
Template:Surinamese gulden