Netherlands, Zwolle Arendschelling 1601 (No reserve price)

NORTH NETHERLANDS – REPUBLIC (1581–1795)
Overijssel – City Zwolle – Arendschelling (6 stuiver), around 1601
Rudolf II (1576–1612) – Variant with small city shield

A particularly attractive silver arendschelling of six stuivers, minted in Zwolle around 1601 in the name of Emperor Rudolf II. A historically interesting urban issue with the characteristic double-headed imperial eagle and the Spanish coat of arms, produced under the mint master Arend van Romondt.

Obverse:
Crowned double-headed imperial eagle with outstretched wings and on the breast a globe with a cross, within a pearl circle.

Inscription: RVDOL • II • DG • ELEC • RO • IMP • SEM • AVG

Latin: Rudolphus II, Dei Gratia Electus Romanorum Imperator Semper Augustus.

Translation: Rudolf II, by the grace of God elected Holy Roman Emperor, forever exalted.

Reverse:
Crowned Spanish coat of arms with the heraldic representations of Castile, León and Granada. On either side beneath the shield lie the claws of the imperial eagle. Above the whole, the small city shield of Zwolle, characteristic for this variant.

Inscription: MONE • ARGENT • IMPERI • CIVITA • ZWOL

Latin: Moneta Argentea Imperialis Civitatis Zwollensis.

Translation: Silver coin of the Imperial City of Zwolle.

Historical background and distinctive minting features

In 1595 and 1598 Zwolle still produced pfennigs (shellings) with a diamond design on the reverse, the so-called snaphaanshellings. Apparently this issue did not fully meet expectations, because by decree of the town council on 23 October 1601 it was decided to change the reverse stamp.

The aim was to align with the internationally known Spanish ducat. Henceforth the reverse had to display the coat of arms of Spain, with Castile, León and Granada. A remarkable choice, since Zwolle at that time had no political affiliation with Spain anymore. Probably recognizability in international monetary traffic played an important role, partly because these shellings circulated frequently in the German hinterland.

An interesting detail concerns the depiction under the shield. In various numismatic reference works this is described as a cross of gnarled sticks. On closer inspection, however, it is the claws of the imperial eagle, visible on both sides beneath the shield. A distinctive iconographic feature of this Zwolle coinage.

The offered specimen concerns the variant with the small city shield of Zwolle.

Numismatic data

* Nominal value: 6 stuivers (arendschelling)
* Dating: undated, circa 1601
* Mint: Zwolle, Overijssel
* Mint master: Arend van Romondt
* Material: silver
* Variant: small city shield of Zwolle

References: Verkade 176.3 · Van der Wiel 218 · HNPM 61 · CNM 2.52.100.

A historically fascinating Zwolle arendschelling from the era of Rudolf II, in which imperial symbolism, Spanish coin influence, and the city’s international trade position come together in a remarkable way. A characterful collector’s piece from the early seventeenth-century Dutch urban coinage.