© Bundesbank

These coins were known as “bonks” (meaning “lump” in Dutch) because of their bar-like shape. They were made using bars of Japanese copper, from which pieces of the required size were cut. These small pieces of irregular size and weight served as emergency coinage.

The manufacture of such coins in the Dutch East Indies became necessary owing to the interrupted supply of coinage from the Netherlands. The coins were first made in 1796 and were stamped with the (abbreviated) denomination on one side and the year on the other. Minted for the last time in 1818, the 8, 2, 1 and ½ stuiver pieces remained in circulation until 1826.

[Data record Id. 57256]