Friesland Brass Jetton

The most striking fact about Friesland's brass jettons is their use of a specific brass alloy, likely incorporating zinc and copper in proportions that made counterfeiting a real headache for would-be fraudsters. This wasn't just any brass; it was formulated to resist the common forging techniques of the 17th century, helping merchants verify their counting tools.

These jettons, issued in the Netherlands from around 1600 to 1700, functioned as aids for arithmetic and accounting, not as currency. You'd find them in the pockets of traders, etched with provincial symbols like the Frisian lion or floral motifs. Struck on planchets that might have been recycled from scrap metal, they reflect the era's practical approach to material reuse.

Exact production figures are murky; records from that period often went up in smoke or simply vanished. I've handled dozens over the years, and they still turn up in odd places, like old estate sales. As for myths about hidden treasures, let's just say I've yet to find one.