Netherlands, Gorinchem, Rose Noble (gold!) dated 1583-1591. Very Fine condition. Insignificant flan crack. Del. 825; Fr. 80. 38 mm; 7.46 g.
Protocol no. 6070
ROSE NOBLES FROM GORINCHEM
Among the most remarkable gold coins of the late sixteenth-century Netherlands are the rose nobles struck at Gorinchem. Their design was deliberately modelled on the celebrated English rose noble, or ryal, of Edward IV, first issued more than a century earlier. So closely was the English prototype followed that the name and titles of Edward IV were retained in the obverse legend.
The obverse presents the familiar image of the king standing aboard a ship, holding sword and shield, while the reverse displays a radiant sun at the centre of a floriate cross, with crowned leopards in the angles. The result is a fascinating survival of late medieval English coin design in the coinage of the Netherlands at the close of the sixteenth century.
Previously printed in “Catalogue No. 1 of Selected Numismatics” (2026).