These copper coins were made by the Dutch East India Company (VOC), a powerful trading company that controlled a large portion of global trade during the 17th and 18th centuries. The coins are low denomination and feature the VOC monogram with the date of minting on the obverse side. The reverse shows the Dutch coat of arms.
Duit coins were minted in various VOC controlled locations such as Batavia (now Jakarta), Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and the Cape of Good Hope. These coins were produced in large quantities and widely used as currency in VOC territories, as well as in trade with other countries.