Dutch Rider Geocoin 'Michiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter'

Michiel Adriaenszoon de Ruyter (24 March 1607 – 29 April 1676) is the most famous and one of the most skilled admirals in Dutch history. De Ruyter is most famous for his role in the Anglo-Dutch Wars of the 17th century. De Ruyter was highly respected by his sailors and soldiers, who used the term of endearment Bestevaêr ("Granddad") for him, both because of his disregard for hierarchy and his refusal to back away from risky and bold undertakings despite his usually cautious nature.

Goal
1. Make a grand tour and visit any cache along the way.
2. Return home before Zwijnen Heintje’s 50th birthday (November 1st 2014)
(a rendezvous cache for Zwijnen Heintje’s coins is under construction)

If you think you can help Michiel along on its journey, feel free to take this coin with you. Please upload the stories (and photos associated with it) that he picks up along the way.

The Dutch Rider Geocoin is designed after a 1754 Dutch coin called the Rijder (Rider), a monetary coin that was made in silver or in gold. The front is an exact copy of the 1754 Dutch coin. The image of the horseman was already used in the century before. Not only the coins where very fascinating, the Dutch had also the most beautiful paper money in the world.

In 1966, the Bank of the Netherlands commissioned the Dutch graphic artist R.D.E. Oxenaar a series of five banknotes with portraits of famous historical figures (which would not create any political problems). These banknotes are some of the best designed banknotes in history.

R.D.E. Oxenaar came to the conclusion that things like the dollar were not very clear so he adopted another approach. He wanted money to be like Monopoly money. That was the only real example of clear en nice money in his eyes. The designs are as white as possible in the background and by contrast as clear and brilliant of color as was technically possible. A very clear typography was used so you still could see what the value of the banknote was when it was folded up. Also for the first time in the world these banknotes had little dots on the left-hand side for the blind.