The power of two ancient crafts
The diamond craftsman's craft experienced its greatest growth in the Netherlands during the Golden Age and is currently practiced in Amsterdam at two companies: at Royal Coster Diamonds and at GASSAN Diamonds. Due to the theme year Rembrandt & the Golden Age, the Royal Dutch Mint and the Knowledge Center Intangible Heritage Netherlands have entered into a partnership with GASSAN Diamonds and Royal Coster Diamonds to bundle the crafts of minting and diamond processing. They have jointly launched a special and very limited issue: the Craft of Diamond Worker Penning. This medal is the second in the series 'Intangible Heritage in the Netherlands' and is available in three variants. The Cu/Ni token is packaged in the well-known coincard and has an edition of only 2,500 pieces. In addition to this coin card, there was also a very exclusive gold Craft from Diamantbewerker Penning available with a real diamond in the middle. Only 10 (!) copies of this unique gold variant were made. The third and last variant was only for sale from Tuesday, October 29, 8 p.m. on the website of the Royal Dutch Mint: the Craft of Diamond Worker Penning Zilver, again with real diamonds! The edition is only 50 pieces. All three variants sold out within hours.
Coin handover
Last night in the Jewish Historical Museum, Jack van Gelder presented the special Silver Craft of Diamond Worker Pennings to the descendants of Jewish families who were important for Amsterdam's diamond history. One of Jack van Gelder's ancestors was a diamond cutter and he therefore has a personal connection with this profession and the people who practice it.
Het ontwerp
Image 1: Cu/Ni medal Image 2: Gold medal with real diamond Image 3: Silver medal with real diamond
The obverse of the medal is based on the sharpening stone with which a diamond is cut. In the middle, the Cu/Ni token is struck in such a way that it looks like a diamond has been placed in it. A real diamond is set in the gold and silver variants of the medal. The reverse of the medal features the logo of the Inventory of Intangible Heritage Netherlands, to which the Craft of Diamondworking was credited in 2013. The design comes to life, like a diamond sparkles, when the light plays with the different facets on the medal.
Background information involved parties:
Royal Coster Diamonds
Coster Diamonds was founded in 1840. In July 2016 they received the Royal title from King Willem-Alexander, which changed the name to Royal Coster Diamonds. To become Royal, an organization must be a leader in its field, be of national importance, have an impeccable reputation and be operational for at least 100 years. But even before 2016, Royal Coster Diamonds was known to Royal Houses. It started in 1852, when Queen Victoria decided she wanted the 109 carat Koh-I-Noor diamond polished by Coster Diamonds. This ancient diamond is the most important diamond of the British Crown Jewels, also known as the most famous diamond in the world. Many Royals and their diamonds followed. Royal Coster's experienced diamond polishers and goldsmiths have turned raw stones into beauty for more than 175 years. Each year, they welcome more than 350,000 visitors to witness a diamond's journey at Royal Coster, from stones beneath the earth to a beautiful piece of jewelry ready to be worn.
GASSAN Diamonds
GASSAN Diamonds is a family business, located in a former steam-driven diamond factory in the center of Amsterdam. It was founded in 1945 by Samuel GASSAN. After he died in 1982, his grandchildren took over the business and it remained in the family. In 2013, GASSAN Diamonds received the Best Family Business award, a prestigious award from the Family Enterprise Foundation. Each year, more than 400,000 tourists visit the historic diamond factory, where skilled artisans can be seen transforming the most precious crystal known to man into dazzling diamonds.
Royal Dutch Mint
Since 1567, the Royal Dutch Mint has been the producer of Dutch coins. It is an innovative, international value products company, rooted in more than 450 years of tradition. The innovative developments of recent years include laser and 3D techniques on coins, which make it possible to apply holographic elements or microtext, among other things. The Royal Dutch Mint is one of the top 5 producers of circulation coins, commemorative coins, royal awards and collector's products worldwide.
Knowledge Center Intangible Heritage Netherlands
The Netherlands Intangible Heritage Knowledge Center coordinates the implementation of the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which was ratified by the Netherlands in 2012. One of the obligations arising from the treaty is the mapping of intangible heritage in the Netherlands. The Inventory of Intangible Heritage Netherlands serves this purpose.
DOWNLOAD PDF