Sale: Nomos 1, Lot: 193. Estimate CHF5000.  Closing Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2009.  Sold For CHF4000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

NETHERLANDS, United Provinces. Utrecht. Rozenobel (Gold, 7.58 g 4), undated (1600/1601). MONE.NOVA.ORDINVM.TRAIECTEN Crowned and armored knight standing facing in boat, holding sword in his right hand and shield with the arms of Utrecht in his left, on ship’s prow, flag bearing the Lion of the Netherlands; on side of the ship, rose Rev. CONCORDIA RES PARVÆ CRESCVNT Floriated cross with fleur-de-lis at the end of each limb; at the center, rose over rays; in the quarters, crown over lion passant to left; all within tressure of eight arcs. Delmonte, Or 959. Fr. 279. A sharp, fresh, perfectly struck example, rare in such outstanding condition. Good extremely fine.

The noble was originally an English gold coin, first struck in 1344, which showed King Edward III standing in a ship, commemorating the English victory at the battle of Sluys in 1340. It became very popular and continued to be produced over the next 250 years. Rose Nobles are those with a large rose on the side of the ship: this was introduced by Edward IV in 1465 to distinguish his new coins from older debased ones (they were also termed Ryals or Royals). These coins were copied in the Low Countries where they were known as Rozenobels or Gouden Nobels.