From what I can gather this coin is a "contemporary imitation" - that is per this auction record which is the only info I can find about this coin. About 20mm & 2.3g. Does anyone know anything about this series? Any ideas what the dimple at the center of the reverse is? THE TON EIJKELENKAMP COLLECTION OF, COINS OF THE NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES, DUTCH EAST INDIES GOVERNMENT - 1816-1949, Wilhelmina (1890- 1948), 1/4-Gulden, contemporary local imitations in base metals (6), 1908 copper, obv NTAI JHDE E 1908, rev 1.2.3.4.5.6.7, edge milled ( Scho 809, Oeang 1505), 1908, as before but silver plated (Scho 809, Oeang 1505), 1909 pewter (Scho 810, Oeang 1506), 1911 brass, obv NIDNEI INDIE 1/4 G (Scho 812), 1912 pewter (Scho 813), 1920 pewter ( Scho 819, cf Oeang 1511). Very fine. (6) E70-90
It appears to be have been soldered with a stud that has fallen out for use as a lapel pin or some other decorative accouterment.
Question, Why would a 1/4 gulden be counterfeited? It doesn't seem to be worth the trouble. Now a gulden or a higher value of sorts would be worth the counterfeiter's time.
I don't think you'll find much documentation on it, but if you do some historical research on the date and place you might find out what the economic or political motivations were for counterfeiters to make such coinage. Maybe they were sponsored by a rival nation to destabilize the economy or a disgruntled mint employee who stole some dies and made his own coinage for his personal use. ???
How could it NOT be worth the trouble ? The genuine coin was made of silver, this one was made of copper. The purpose of counterfeiting the coin was to use it as money. And when you can do that, and make the fake for a tiny fraction of the genuine coin is worth - then it IS worth it.
I stand corrected. I supposed I assumed the value according to today standards. A 1/4 gulden is what, about a shilling or two? That would have been enough back then I guess to make it profitable to the counterfeiter.
Well I got news for ya, they still do it. Pretty much every coin there is has been counterfeited, even the lowly Lincoln cent. 'Course that was back when it cost less than a cent to make one.