½ Cent - Straf-Gevangenis ND

Reverse

Script: Latin

Lettering:
1/2
CENT.

Edge

Plain

Comment

In accordance with the Royal Decree of 11 February 1823, all what would be sold in canteens of prisons had to be paid in fictitious currency. That is why from 1824 were introduced domestic prison tokens (tokens specially made for use within prisons).
Since 1 July 1861 use of tokens in prisons was prohibited by the Royal Decree of 23 May 1861.

The uniform tokens were put into circulation in March 1834 in prisons of Woerden, Gouda, Hoorn, Leiden, and Rotterdam and in February 1847 in Leeuwarden. These coins were minted at Rijks Munt (Royal Dutch Mint) with values ½c, 1c, 5c, 10c, 25c, 50c and 1 gulden.
The space in the middle of the obverse was for striking of "city letter". Prisons themselves did this stamping. Only coins of prisons of Woerden (except 1 gulden) had not city letter. Coins without city letter can also come from unused stocks of other prisons.
The letters:
G = Prison in Gouda;
H = Prison in Hoorn;
R = Prison in Rotterdam;
Bold L = Military prison in Leiden;
Cursive L = Prison in Leeuwarden.