Niederlande - Gelderland Rijksdaalder 1618 – Dutch Republic – Delmonte 938 (Ohne mindestpreis)

Gelderland – Rijksdaalder 1618 – Dutch Republic – Delmonte 938

Silver rijksdaalder struck by the Province of Gelderland in 1618 during the Dutch Republic.

Obverse

Half-length figure of an armoured knight facing right, holding a raised sword in his right hand. With his left hand he supports the divided provincial coat of arms of Gelderland and Zutphen.

Legend:

MO · NO · ARG · PRO · CONFOE · BELG · GEL

Expanded:

Moneta Nova Argentea Provinciae Confoederatae Belgicae Gelriae

Translation:

“New silver coin of the Province of Gelderland of the United Netherlands.”

The Gelderland cross appears as the provincial mint mark.

Reverse

The crowned arms of the States General within an inner ornamental border. The shield bears the lion of the Dutch Republic, holding a raised sword and a bundle of seven arrows. The date is divided on either side of the shield:

16 – 18

Legend:

CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRESCVNT

Translation:

“Through concord, small things grow.”

Specifications

Issuing authority: Province of Gelderland
State: Dutch Republic
Denomination: Rijksdaalder
Date: 1618
Material: Silver
Technique: Hammered
Mint mark: Gelderland cross
References: Delmonte 938; CNM 2.17.121; HPM Ge 73

Historical context

The Dutch Republic did not possess a fully centralised coinage system. Its individual provinces retained the right to issue coins under their own authority, while employing shared denominations, standards and political symbolism. This rijksdaalder was therefore issued by Gelderland, but simultaneously identified the province as part of the confederated Netherlands.

That political structure is expressed on both sides of the coin. The obverse presents the provincial arms of Gelderland and Zutphen, while the reverse carries the arms of the States General. The seven arrows held by the lion represent the seven sovereign provinces united within the Dutch Republic.

The rijksdaalder was one of the Republic’s principal large silver denominations. Its name derives from the German Reichstaler tradition, which strongly influenced the silver coinage used throughout northern and central Europe. In the Dutch monetary system, the rijksdaalder had a value of 2½ guilders, or 50 stuivers.

This coin was struck during the Twelve Years’ Truce of 1609–1621, a temporary cessation of hostilities between the Dutch Republic and the Spanish monarchy during the Eighty Years’ War. Although Spain had not yet formally recognised Dutch independence, the truce allowed the Republic to consolidate its political institutions, commerce and overseas expansion.

The reverse motto CONCORDIA RES PARVAE CRESCVNT emphasised the principle on which the Republic depended: the separate provinces derived strength from cooperation. It became one of the most characteristic inscriptions on the coinage of the Dutch Republic.

Please examine the photographs carefully to assess the condition and appearance of the coin. The photographs form an integral part of the description.

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