1 Hvid - Søren Norby Visby

Historical Context: This 1 Hvid coin from Visby, Gotland, dates to the tumultuous period of 1522-1523, minted under Søren Norby. A Danish admiral and privateer, Norby seized control of Gotland amidst the Dano-Swedish War and the collapse of the Kalmar Union. Operating as a quasi-independent ruler, he issued coinage to fund his mercenary forces and assert his tenuous authority over the strategically vital Baltic island. His rule was contested, caught between Christian II of Denmark and the ascendant Gustav Vasa of Sweden, making this coinage a tangible artifact of a highly volatile era.

Artistry: The artistry of this 1 Hvid is characteristic of early 16th-century provincial mints in the Baltic region, prioritizing functionality over refined aesthetics. No specific engraver is attributed to these issues. Designs typically feature the Gotland Agnus Dei (lamb with banner) on one side and Søren Norby's monogram (SN) or a crowned shield on the other, often accompanied by the Visby mintmark (a rose) and the date. The style is robustly utilitarian, reflecting its nature as wartime emergency coinage rather than a display of elaborate artistic skill, common for low-denomination issues of the period.

Technical/Grading: As a small, thin silver coin weighing 0.73 grams, full and well-centered strikes are uncommon for the Hauberg#119 type. Key grading points include the distinctness of the Agnus Dei, particularly the lamb's head and banner, and the clarity of Norby's monogram or shield details. The surrounding legend, often abbreviated or poorly struck, is frequently partially off-flan. Expect irregular flans and varying degrees of centering. High-grade examples will exhibit minimal wear on central devices, clear legends, and a relatively complete strike, which is a significant rarity for this specific issue.