William III ruled Jülich-Berg during a period of dynastic anxiety — he died in 1511 without a male heir, triggering the Jülich-Cleves-Berg succession crisis that would simmer for nearly a century before exploding into the War of the Jülich Succession in 1609. This schilling was struck in the final months of his reign, possibly among the last coins issued under his direct authority before the duchy passed to his son-in-law Johann III of Cleves.
At under a gram of silver, the weight reflects the persistent debasement of small Rhenish coinage throughout the early sixteenth century.
William III ruled Jülich-Berg during a period of dynastic anxiety — he died in 1511 without a male heir, triggering the Jülich-Cleves-Berg succession crisis that would simmer for nearly a century before exploding into the War of the Jülich Succession in 1609. This schilling was struck in the final months of his reign, possibly among the last coins issued under his direct authority before the duchy passed to his son-in-law Johann III of Cleves.
At under a gram of silver, the weight reflects the persistent debasement of small Rhenish coinage throughout the early sixteenth century.