Silver Ducat “Gevangenpoort”2025

Silver Ducats are commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Finance and are collector coins. The issue depicting the “Gevangenpoort” (prison gate) is part and also the sixth issue of the series “Dutch city gates and access roads”. Are you also collecting these coins?

Part 6: Prison gate in Zeeland: dining and sleeping in the “Bombproof”

At the mouth of the Western Scheldt, lies the prison gate in Vlissingen. From this tower there is not only a beautiful view of the sea, but you will also discover a rich history, for the prison gate is a remnant of the Westpoort that was built around 1491. With the prison tower on the sea side and another tower on the land side, the West Gate was considered the city gate until 1563. In 1606, the prison gate was designated as the new prison. Everyone feared the “dark pit,” a room in the basement for the most severely punished criminals.

From 1795 the tower was in French possession, and in 1811 the West Gate was largely demolished. The prison gate remained standing and fitted with an earth-covered dome vault. This construction earned the tower the nickname "Bombproof”. After the French left Vlissingen, the Dutch army took over the prison gate and used it as a military prison. After the 1953 flood disaster, the tower was actually supposed to be demolished because the location was seen as a weak spot. However, people fought to preserve it and in 2025 the prison gate still stands, surrounded by a dike reinforcement, with an extra floor and with the pointed roof from before 1809. You can dine in the tower and even spend the night there!

Duke Karel van Egmond

In the previous series (Dutch Castles), knight Godard de Ginkell was on the coin. According to the Dutch Mint Act, a knight in armour should be on the coin. This time, Karel van Egmond (1467 – 1538) (also known as Karel van Gelre) is taking over this honor. This armored man on the obverse of the coin was an important duke of several areas in the Netherlands. During his reign, he had to deal with threats from emperor Charles V. He also was the last independent feudal ruler of the Netherlands. For this new series, Karel van Egmond will be on the Silver Ducat. 

Design

The obverse of the Silver Ducat “Gevangenpoort” depicts Duke Karel van Egmond in front of the famous building. The province weapon of Zeeland can be found on his shield. The inscription on this issue reads: “MO.NO.ARG.REG.BELGII.ZEL.”. “MO.NO.ARG.REG.BELGII.” is the Latin abbreviation for “Moneta Nova Argenta Regni Belgii”: New Silver coin of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. ZEL stands for the province of Zeeland.   

On the reverse of the Silver Ducat, the national coat of arms of the Netherlands with the Royal Crown between the numbers of the year can be found. The inscription reads: “CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRESCUNT”, Unity makes Strength. Here you can also find the mint mark and the privy mark. As requested by many, the packaging for the new series is adjusted. The Silver Ducat is in a smaller packaging that not only takes up less space, but also fits in the mailbox.