Indonesian States, Java, British East India Company, Tin Duit

These tin duits were produced in Batavia (modern-day Jakarta) during the British occupation of Java, a brief and turbulent period between 1811 and 1816. Part of an emergency currency system, the coins bear the East India Company’s bale mark and the year of issue.

The occupation began when the Netherlands fell under French influence, and in 1811, British forces led by Sir Stamford Raffles seized the island. For the next five years, Java was governed through the East India Company. But unlike other colonies, long-term settlement was never the plan—Java was a strategic hold for Britain in the Napoleonic Wars—yet trade, taxation, and administration needed to continue, and circulation of currency was central to that.

By 1816, the British withdrew, returning Java to Dutch control under the Anglo-Dutch Treaty. The departure, however, was disastrous. As troops and their families attempted to leave, the Frances Charlotte struck a reef, leaving hundreds stranded. Rescue ships faced similar fates, and survivors spent weeks marooned offshore before finally being recovered.

Please note that many tin coins from Indonesia in this time period also contain lead, so proper care should be taken to wash one's hands after touching these artifacts.

Each includes a Certificate of Authenticity and is guaranteed genuine.