Catalog
See full images - free registration
Continue with Google - no registration!
or register with email
Why register? Just to keep bots out of our catalog. Your email stays private - we will never share it or send you anything uninvited. We guarantee you that!
1 Goldgulden - John II
| Issuer | Duchy of Cleves |
|---|---|
| Year | 1503 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | 3.25 g |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Technique | Log in to see details |
| Orientation | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | Standing figure of St. John the Baptist in frontal pose, holding the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) on his left arm; a shield of arms is displayed in the lower field beneath the figure. The surrounding Gothic uncial legend reads the titles of Duke Johann II of Cleves, interrupted by the base of the figure. The design is rendered in the late medieval hammered style characteristic of Rhenish goldgulden of the period. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Log in to see details |
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse script | Latin (uncial) |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Edge | Log in to see details |
| Mint | Log in to see details |
| Mintage | Log in to see details |
| Additional information |
John II of Cleves — called "the Baby" due to a developmental condition that left him mentally impaired throughout his adult life — ruled the duchy for over fifty years despite never governing in any meaningful capacity. Actual authority rested with his wife, Mechthild of Hesse, and later with his son John III. That a gold gulden was struck in his name as late as 1503 reflects the dynasty's need to project ducal legitimacy through coinage regardless of who actually held power.