Currencies/Dutch korte
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Introduction
The Dutch Korte (Dutch: Korte, French: Courte) was a small copper coin used in the Spanish Netherlands during the 16th century. It served as one of the lowest denominations in circulation, primarily for everyday transactions and minor payments. The term Korte—meaning “short” or “small” in Dutch—reflected its low value and physical size, and in French-speaking regions, the same coin was known as the Courte.
History
The Korte originated during the reign of Charles V (1519–1556) as part of a broader coinage reform across the Habsburg Netherlands, which aimed to standardize small copper coinage across the provinces.
These coins were struck in several provincial mints, including Roermond, Brabant, and Guelders, and continued under Philip II of Spain (1556–1598). The Korte was commonly issued as a 2-mite coin, representing one of the smallest fractions of the gulden in use at the time.
By the late 16th century, Kortes had become common in local trade, particularly in markets and small urban centers. Their circulation gradually declined with later currency reforms, as newer small coins like the duit and stuiver replaced earlier copper issues.
Coins
Korte coins were typically struck in copper or billon, weighing between 1.0 and 1.8 grams, and were hammered coins with irregular shapes and rough edges, typical of 16th-century minting.
The obverse often featured the monogram or portrait of the reigning monarch, such as Charles V or Philip II, while the reverse displayed heraldic emblems—such as the Brabant lion, regional shields, or simple crosses surrounded by dots.
Recorded examples include
A Korte of Charles V (1554) minted in copper.
A 2-Mite Korte of Guelders (1558–1565) under Philip II.
A Korte of Roermond (late 16th century) weighing approximately 1.1 grams, now in the British Museum collection.
Currency
1 Gulden = 480 Kortes (2 Mites per Korte)
The Korte functioned as a subsidiary coin within the broader gulden-based system of the Spanish Netherlands. Its tiny value made it practical for everyday commerce—buying food, paying market tolls, or handling fractional payments.
In accounting, it was often listed alongside similar minor units such as the mite and liard, reflecting the intricate multi-denomination structure of 16th-century Dutch and Flemish monetary systems.
Legacy
The Dutch Korte reflects the economic diversity and regional autonomy of the Netherlands under Spanish rule. It played a small but essential role in daily trade and shows how early Dutch coinage adapted to the needs of both urban markets and rural economies.
Today, surviving Korte coins are rare, valued for their historical connection to the Spanish Netherlands’ local coinage traditions and early Dutch monetary development.