Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie (1602-1799) - Batavia - Batavia, Pitje (0.94 g,), 1744, Obv.: VOC-monogram / AO 1744 / Rev.: Blank. Slightly excentrically holed. These coins were produced in Batavia, made of lead and tin in approximately equal quantity. They were put into circulation on 14 February 1744, to the value of ¼ doit or 1/16 stiver and declared current in Batavia and on Java. The production was farmed out by auction to the Shahbandars. The Shahbandar (Persian, lit. “harbourmaster”) was in charge of the traders and the collection of taxes. Provenance: recovered from recent dredging of canals in Jakarta -XF for issue and the best available state of preservation - very rare. Ref.: Dutch-Indonesian placard-book, 1602-1811, vol. 5, p.111-112 & p.132); Netcher v.d. Chijs (Batavia, 1863); De Beeldenaar No. 5, sept/oct. 2020 p. 225-228; Passon 18.1