Kaartkoper

Kaartkoper, also known as copperplate or copper coin, is a traditional term used in Dutch to refer to a small, usually copper-based coin that was historically used as currency. These coins have played an important role in Dutch monetary history, especially during the Dutch Republic, the 17th and 18th centuries, when copper was a common material for lower-denomination coins.

Typically, kaartkopers were characterized by their small size, often around 15 to 20 millimeters in diameter, and their copper composition, which made them durable and cost-effective to produce. The coins often featured simple designs, including the coat of arms, monarch's profile, or denomination markings, and were minted in various Dutch cities.

The use of copper coins like the kaartkoper declined with the advent of more standardized and durable metal coins, such as nickel and bronze, in the 19th and 20th centuries. Despite this, copper coins remain of interest to numismatists and collectors, valued for their historical significance and craftsmanship.

In contemporary times, the term "kaartkoper" is rarely used in formal circulation but persists in historical and collectible contexts. The coins are considered artifacts that offer insight into early Dutch monetary systems, trade practices, and metallurgical techniques. Collectors often seek them for their historical value and for depicting everyday life and political symbols from their periods of circulation.

Because of their small size and simplicity, kaartkopers symbolize the everyday transactions of ordinary people in Dutch history, reflecting the economic and social fabric of earlier centuries.