The State Library of Western Australia holds a small collection of Dutch coins that tell an extraordinary story. Our Subject Specialist Librarian Peter Edwards shares the incredible story of this sunken treasure that has made its way through the years to find a home in the State Library’s rare collections. 

The coins come from the 1656 wreck near Ledge Point of the Dutch ship the Gilt Dragon [De Vergulde Draeke [(ver-hel-de Dray-Ahkk)]; and the 1727 wreck of the Dutch ship Zeewijk [zee-vehk] near Gun Island in the Houtman Abrolhos Islands. The coins from the Gilt Dragon were donated by Alan Robinson, the “Gelignite Buccaneer”, in 1968, and those from the Zeewijk were donated to the Library by Dominic Serventy in 1999.

Pieces of 8, Seagull Dinners, and Gelignite

The State Library of Western Australia collects and preserves Western Australian history. The State Library collects voices and stories through oral histories, diaries, journals, maps, photos, films, music and oral histories. Delve into WA history though our regular ABC Radio interviews "History Repeated"" series or listen to some of our live panel event recordings. Discover more about WA UFO files, nuclear testing and Bob Hawke's school report.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that the State Library of Western Australia's recordings of public talks may contain names and voices of people who are now deceased.

Pieces of 8, Seagull Dinners, and Gelignite

State Library of Western Australia

Related tracks