Miss The Netherlands 2023, Rikkie Valerie Kollé, revealed the first commemorative coin for LGBTI+ organization COC The Netherlands. The reveal took place at Soestdijk Palace, the place where the royal approval was signed 50 years ago, by former Queen Juliana. Today, the commemorative coin is a tribute to everything the organization has done so far, but it is also a reminder of all the work that still has to be done. The coin is available now at www.royaldutchmint.com.
In 1964, something happens on Dutch National television that has never happened before: chairman of the COC and gay man Benno Premsela is shown openly on screen. That is unheard of in those times, because until this moment, lesbian, gay and bisexual people were only shown on screen from the back or with a bar in front of their eyes. This very bold move by Premsela is one of the examples of a shout that is becoming louder and louder. A shout from the organization COC The Netherlands for more emancipation and social acceptation of LGBTI+ people.
A little less than 10 years later, on September 19th 1973, the COC receives their long-awaited royal approval. The Royal Dutch Mint strikes an official commemorative coin to honor 50 years recognition of COC. The coin is commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Finance.
50 years recognition COC
COC (Directly translated to Culture and Relaxation Centre) The Netherlands is founded as the Shakespeare Club on December 7th 1946 by the reader’s club of magazine Levensrecht (Right to Live). This makes the COC the oldest, still existing LGBTI+ movement in the world. The organization uses the name COC since 1949 and is active in advocacy, equal rights and social acceptance of lesbian, gay, bi+, transgender and intersex people (LGBTI+). The commemorative coin is available now at the Royal Dutch Mint website.