(sold for $8.0)

1794, Ceylon (Dutch United East India Company/VOC). Copper Stuiver Coin. VF+

Condition: VF+ Mint Year: 1794 Reference: KM-26. Denomination: Stuiver Issuer: United East India Company (VOC) Weight: 13.10gm  Diameter: 21mm Material: Copper

Obverse: Letter (C for Ceylon) above initials of the Netherlands United East India Company (VOC).

Reverse: Roman value numeral (*I*) above denomination (STUIVER) and date (1794).

The Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie or VOC in Dutch, literally "United East Indian Company") was a trading   company, which was established in 1602, when the States-General of the   Netherlands granted it a 21-year monopoly to carry out colonial   activities in Asia. It was the first multinational corporation in the   world and the first company to issue stock. It was also arguably the   world's first megacorporation, possessing quasi-governmental powers,   including the ability to wage war, negotiate treaties, coin money, and   establish colonies.

The Dutch East India Company remained an important   trading concern for almost two centuries, paying an 18% annual dividend   for almost 200 years. In its declining years in the late 18th century it   was referred to as Vergaan Onder Corruptie which translates as   'Perished By Corruption'. The VOC became bankrupt and was formally   dissolved in 1800, its possessions and the debt being taken over by the   government of the Dutch Batavian Republic. The VOC's territories became   the Dutch East Indies and were expanded over the course of the 19th   century to include the whole of the Indonesian archipelago, and in the   20th century would form Indonesia.