April 19, 2012 – Commissioned by the Ministry of Finance, in 2012 the Royal Dutch Mint will be striking a new commemorative coin with the theme: 400 year diplomatic trade relations between the Netherlands and Turkey. The First Strike of the coin will take place on the 26th of March 2012.
Ogier Ghiselin de Busbecq was named him ambassador to the Ottoman Empire in Constantinopel under the rule of Suleiman the Magnificent in 1554. He sent Turkish tulpi bulbs to Europa making the flower thus known in his home country. Engraving of Ogier Ghislain de Busbecq, by Jean François Foppens (1689-1761). Source: Wikipedia.
The first trading links between the Netherlands and Turkey stem from the Middle Ages, when the Dutch, usually when journeying to the Holy Land, visited Turkey as a pilgrim or on a crusade. The first Dutch ambassador, Cornelis Haga, arrived in Istanbul in 1612, and diplomatic relations were established. The trade between Turkey and the Netherlands started to flourish by that time. In the sixteenth century the Tulip was exported from Turkey to Europe, which lead to the Tulipmania in the Netherlands and eventually the tulip became a national symbol.
The Netherlands / 10 Euro / .900 Gold / Proof / 22.5 mm / 6.72 g / Mintage: 2,000.
The front of the coin will show a portrait of Queen Beatrix along with a luxuriant flowering tulip as the national symbol. On the back a closed tulip can be seen in combination with the Turkish flag, as a metaphorical image of the tulip’s native country.
The Netherlands / 5 Euro / .925 Silver / Proof / 33 mm / 15.5 g / Mintage: 12,500 (including coloured variations).
A limited number of the Silver Proof coins will also have colour printing. This coin will form part of an exclusive set.
In addition to the circulation coin, the Royal Dutch Mint is also issuing special releases for collectors.
More information on the Tulip coins you can find on the Royal Dutch Mint website.