Catalog
| Issuer | Province of Gelderland (Dutch Republic) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1761-1765 |
| Type | Standard circulation coin |
| Value | 1/2 Ducaton |
| Currency | Gulden (1581-1795) |
| Composition | Silver (.941) |
| Weight | 16.39 g |
| Diameter | 35 mm |
| Thickness | |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | |
| Engraver(s) | |
| In circulation to | |
| Reference(s) | Ver#5.2 , CNM#2.17.136 S#1045 , KM#101.2 , HPM#Ge Voogt#505, 517, etc. |
| Obverse description | Armored knight brandishing sword on rearing horse right, above crowned arms of Gelderland dividing legend. Privy mark at beginning of legend. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
| Obverse lettering |
MO : NO : ARG : CONF : BEL : PRO : D : GEL : & : C : Z : (Translation: New silver coinage of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, Duchy of Gelderland and County of Zutphen) |
| Reverse description | Crowned shield with arms of the United Provinces supported by a lion on each side, date below in cartouche |
| Reverse script | Latin |
| Reverse lettering |
CONCORDIA RES PARVÆ CRESCVNT * (Translation: With harmony small things grow) |
| Edge | Flowered |
| Mint | |
| Mintage |
1761 - Privy mark: tree - 1762 - Privy mark: tree - 1764 - Privy mark: tree - 1765 - Privy mark: tree - |
| Numisquare ID | 1163413860 |
| Additional information |
Historical Context: This 1/2 Ducaton, or "1/2 Zilveren Rijder," was issued by the Province of Gelderland during the Dutch Republic (1761-1765). This era marked the twilight of the Dutch Golden Age, with the Republic navigating complex internal politics and evolving European power structures. The coin reflects Gelderland's sovereign right to coinage, underscoring its economic significance and administrative autonomy within the federal structure. These substantial silver pieces were vital for both domestic and international trade.
Artistry: Likely executed by anonymous master mint engravers, the design embodies a robust Late Baroque aesthetic, characteristic of Dutch provincial coinage. The obverse features an armored knight on horseback, brandishing a sword, symbolizing provincial defense, with Gelderland's shield below. The reverse displays the crowned provincial shield, flanked by two rampant lions, with the denomination and date. A distinguishing "flowered edge" serves as both a decorative element and an anti-clipping security feature.
Technical/Grading: Struck in .941 fine silver, weighing 16.39 grams and 35mm in diameter, this coin possesses significant metallic presence. Key high-points for grading include the knight's helmet, the horse's musculature, and the sword on the obverse. On the reverse, sharpness in the crown's details, the lions' features, and the provincial shield's heraldry are crucial. The preservation of the "flowered edge" is paramount; an undamaged edge significantly enhances numismatic appeal. Strong strikes reveal full detail on all elements.