1/2 Daalder '1/2 Arendrijksdaalder' - Matthias I
| Issuer | Zwolle, City of |
|---|---|
| Year | 1612-1647 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 1/2 Silver Ducat (Rijksdaalder) (6⁄5) |
| Currency | Gulden (1581-1795) |
| Composition | Silver |
| Weight | 14 g |
| Diameter | |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round (irregular) |
| Technique | Hammered |
| Orientation | |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | KM#19, Delmonte S#718, CNM#2.52.44 |
| Obverse description | Ornate crowned tournament helmet above curved shield with Zwolle arms dividing beaded inner circle; small figure of Saint Michael wielding sword above crown. Date (if present) at bottom below shield in reverse direction relative to legend. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering |
MO · ARG · IMPE · 1620 · CIVITA ·ZWOL (Translation: Silver coinage of the imperial city of Zwolle) |
| Reverse description | Crowned two-headed imperial eagle with orb on chest, within beaded inner circle. |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering |
MATTH · I · D · G · RO · IMP · SEM · AVGVST · (Translation: Matthias I, by God`s grace ever-exalted Emperor of the Romans) |
| Edge | |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
1612 - - ND (1612-1619) - - 1620 - - 1647 - - |
| Numisquare ID | 1395244770 |
| Additional information |
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Historical Context: This 1/2 Daalder, known as a '1/2 Arendrijksdaalder,' was issued by the City of Zwolle during Holy Roman Emperor Matthias I's reign (1612-1619), with mintage extending to 1647. Zwolle, a free imperial city and prominent Hanseatic League member, retained coinage rights despite its integration into the nascent Dutch Republic amidst the Eighty Years' War. The coin's imperial eagle motif highlights Zwolle's complex political allegiance, acknowledging nominal imperial suzerainty while asserting civic autonomy and economic strength within the Dutch sphere.
Artistry: The design reflects the Northern European Renaissance aesthetic, prioritizing clear heraldic representation. Engravers for Zwolle's mints remain largely anonymous, but the stylistic school emphasizes legibility and symbolic accuracy. The obverse prominently features the imperial double-headed eagle, directly referencing its 'Arendrijksdaalder' designation and the Emperor's authority. The reverse typically displays Zwolle's meticulously rendered arms, often a swan, encircled by Latin legends detailing the city's name and date, executed with robust artistry typical of the era.
Technical/Grading: Struck in silver at 14 grams, this denomination exhibits specific wear patterns. High-points for wear include the imperial eagle's heads and wingtips on the obverse, and fine details within Zwolle's arms on the reverse. Variability in strike quality is common for early 17th-century city issues; off-center strikes, planchet imperfections, and incomplete legend strikes are frequently encountered, impacting overall visual appeal and grade assessment. A well-centered strike with full legend and eagle detail is highly desirable.