3 Keping 1202 1787 Pattern

The VOC kepeng coinage was produced for circulation in Batavia and the surrounding Javanese territories, where Chinese-style cash coins had been the dominant small change for generations. This 1787-dated pattern — struck in 1788 — was almost certainly produced to test acceptance of a new denomination before committing to a full copper issue. The gold plating on copper patterns of this type served less as a precious metal test and more as a presentation convention, distinguishing trial pieces sent to the Heeren XVII in Amsterdam from production strikes.

KM#259.1 is among the rarer VOC pattern survivals; the Company's dissolution in 1799 cut short any long-term plans this series may have had.