In the 17th century, the Dutch economy flourished as never before. The period known as the “Golden Age” meant prosperity and wealth for many. The important period in the history of our state brought the Dutch people new financial opportunities, including shares. This enabled Pieter Harmensz, Stadtbote from Enkhuizen, to acquire the oldest share ever.
Crypto’s VOC Founder With First Free Share Sale
And the part that Harmensz acquired with a full year’s salary was something very special. Harmensz invested in the Dutch East India Company (VOC), which would later grow into the largest company in human history. For him, the financial novelty of the time would prove to be very lucrative.
Pieter Harmensz bought the shares in 1602 when the VOC was still in its infancy. He paid the amount for the share in installments. When he paid the full sum of 150 guilders on September 9, 1606, the Dutchman was awarded the oldest share. When Harmensz died in 1638, he left the country according to the West Frisian archive left his wife and daughter an inheritance of 22,000 guilders.
The Dutch East India Company oversaw dividend payments until 1650, long after his death. The VOC earned around six million guilders with its share issue and was one of the founders of share trading and stock exchange speculation with freely tradable shares. The stock market, which indirectly also affects the crypto So the industry didn’t originate in America’s Wall Street, but in our cold little country.
The Dutch company grows into the largest ever
However, Harmensz never sold his stake. The VOC often paid out in spices instead of cash, so Harmensz was not allowed to dispose of great wealth. Harmensz, on the other hand, had a flair for good investments; The VOC later grew into the largest company of all time.
At the company’s peak in 1637, it was worth 78 million guilders. Converted to today’s value of the euro, that would be 6.7 trillion euros. That’s nearly three times the size of the company with the largest market cap at the moment; Apple Inc. with a market capitalization of 2.3 trillion euros.
Even today’s three largest companies combined do not reach the VOC. While the company certainly cannot be described as ethical, it is a piece of history that we as Dutch people can be proud of.