Gelderland (1516-38) schelling
This specimen was lot 1419 in Jean Elsen sale 152 (Brussels, September 2022), where it sold for €280 (about US$338 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"NEDERLAND, GELDERLAND, Hertogdom, Karel van Egmond (1492-1538), AR snaphaanschelling, na 1516, Nijmegen. Vz/ De hertog te paard naar r. Daaronder, *GEL*. Kz/ Gelders wapen op gebloemd kruis. Barst in de muntplaat. Zeer Fraai. (Netherlands, duchy of Gelderland, Charles of Egmont, 1492-1538, silver "hen snatcher shilling", c. 1516, Nijmegen mint. Obverse: the duke, "*GEL*" below; reverse: arms of Gelderland over a floriate cross. Very Fine.)"
In the late fifteenth century, the Netherlands was still an empty wasteland with only a shadow of her future importance. Gelderland was ruled by an independent duke only loosely tied to the Empire. Only on his extinction did Gelderland become part of the Hapsburg inheritance, about the same time Lutheranism and Calvinism began to obtain a hold there. The nickname snaphaan ("hensnatcher") comes from the kleptomanic tendencies of the mounted knight depicted on the obverse. The schelling or schilling was later worth six stuivers.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: silver, this specimen 7,49 g.
Catalog reference: v.d.Ch. 18, 38; Delm-516.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 152: Collection Ferdy Willems, Celtic coins, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2022.
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