1 Gulden

Historical Context: This 1 Gulden was issued by the City of Nijmegen, a prominent Hanseatic city in the Dutch Republic, between 1687 and 1691. This era marked the zenith of the Republic's Golden Age, a period of commercial prosperity and tension. While William III served as Stadtholder, Nijmegen, as a sovereign city, exercised its privilege to mint coinage, underscoring its economic independence and autonomy within the decentralized United Provinces.

Artistry: The artistic style of this Gulden is characteristic of late 17th-century Dutch numismatic design, blending Late Renaissance with nascent Baroque elements. While the engraver is typically unrecorded for municipal issues, the design was executed by a master die-cutter. The obverse almost certainly features the crowned double-headed eagle of Nijmegen's city arms. The reverse likely displays a crowned provincial or national emblem, or a standing figure, surrounded by a legend detailing authority and denomination.

Technical/Grading: Struck in silver to 10.6 grams, this Gulden often exhibits varying strike quality. High-points for wear and strike typically include crown details, the eagle's heads and wing tips on the obverse, and high-relief elements on the reverse, such as a standing figure's head or shield. Common issues include planchet imperfections, weak strikes (especially on peripheral legends or highest relief areas from worn dies), and potential lamination flaws inherent to early modern minting.