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Leeuwarden, European Capital of Culture
The first official Netherlands commemorative coin of 2018 is dedicated to the city of Leeuwarden, European Culture Capital for 2018. The capital of the province of Friesland is a 1½ hour drive north of Amsterdam. Much of the region is below sea level and is known for waterways lined with swaying reeds, traditional old windmills, windswept beaches and marshes rich with birdlife. Walking around Leeuwarden, you find craft beer cafes mixed in with medieval churches. The city’s most famous resident was Mata Hari.
Frieslanders are proud people known for their 11 city, 124 mile ice-skating race, the Elfstedentocht, held only when the weather is cold enough to freeze miles of canals. It was last held in 1997. The local Fries language is closer than any other to English.
Learn more here: https://www.friesland.nl/en/european-capital-of-culture
With the new “St. Servais Bridge” mintmaster's mark.
The obverse, with the legally-required head of King Willem-Alexander at its center, Has “a sense of centuries-old Frisian craftsmanship techniques of woodcarving and mint craft come to life” through the use of modern digital and 3D printing techniques. The result is what can be thought of as both a weathered seal and a contemporary object.
The reverse depicts some features symbolic of Friesland – the jewels of Mata Hari, the water, Frisian sailboats and horses, water lily leaves from the provincial flag, and the horn of culture and festivities.
Limited to only 15,000 coins in a printed, descriptive Coin Card Metal: Silver-plated copper Weight: 10.50 g Diameter: 29.0 mm Quality: Brilliant Uncirculated Mintage: Max. 15,000 Designer: Navid Nuur |
