Gelderland Silver Angelot

The Gelderland Silver Angelot's design, with its angelic figure derived from French prototypes, served as a subtle nod to international alliances amid regional rivalries.

These coins, struck in the Duchy of Gelderland between 1450 and 1500, were typically made from silver of varying purity, often sourced from recycled bullion. Weights hovered around 3 to 4 grams, but inconsistencies were common in medieval minting. The obverse usually depicted the angel, while the reverse might show a shield or cross, reflecting local heraldry.

Exact production details remain murky; no comprehensive records escaped the chaos of later wars. That said, surviving examples suggest they were used in everyday trade, from market stalls to diplomatic gifts.

Historians debate whether these angelots influenced Dutch coinage standards, but evidence is scarce. As for myths about their divine protection—well, I've handled enough worn specimens to know angels don't ward off pocket pickers.