Copper Oort

The Copper Oort was frequently struck on planchets recycled from melted Spanish and Portuguese coins, a practical necessity during the Dutch Revolt when metal was scarce.

That reuse highlights the coin's role in everyday transactions. Weighing just a few grams, it changed hands among farmers, traders, and soldiers in the Netherlands' burgeoning markets. Designs were simple—often a coat of arms or a lion—stamped with minimal flair.

Production varied by mint, likely in cities like Utrecht or Amsterdam, though exact figures are lost to time. What survives shows wear from constant use, turning many into smooth discs barely recognizable today.

As for myths, I've heard tales of buried hoards, but most ended up as pocket change or melted down again. It's no treasure, just a humble piece of commerce.