Amsterdam Capital of Finance

The first share was issued by the Dutch East India Company (V.O.C.) in Amsterdam in 1606. In the 17th century, the city became one of the most important commercial and financial centres of the World. A great number of institutions, such as the Exchange Bank, were established to create smooth and reliable money traffic. In the 18th century, a large part of the American struggle for independence was funded from Amsterdam.
The Nederlandsche Bank and the Dutch Trade Society (Nederlandsche Handel-Maatschappij) were established in the 19th century. The stock market crash of 1929 and the emergence of stock- and security bonds are also discussed. Beautiful objects can be admired: silver bars, Amsterdam coins, documents (the oldest share of the V.O.C.), drawings, pictures and film.