Prince Ennobling – The Sword and the Book

A crown alone is not the measure of a worthy ruler. Prince Ennobling, Mint Club #11, pairs the symbols of defense and learning in a 2 troy ounce .999 fine silver round. The design draws from Book I, Illustration XXXII of George Wither’s A Collection of Emblemes, Ancient and Moderne, published in 1635.

Arms, Arts and the Ideal Ruler

“A Princes most Ennobling Parts, Are Skills in Arms, and Love of Arts.”

Wither’s poem describes a ruler who seeks peace, is prepared to meet the demands of war and supports the liberal arts. Good government also requires personal example. The emblem therefore asks the viewer to consider the qualities behind authority, rather than treating rank as an achievement in itself.

In an emblem book, the picture and the accompanying words work together. A simple object can carry a larger idea, and a compact scene can open into a discussion of character. Wither’s verse develops that relationship here through the balance between readiness to defend and willingness to cultivate learning.

Obverse Design

A crowned prince stands in the foreground with a sword and a book, while mountains and a castle establish the setting behind him. The sword represents the martial side of the motto; the book gives learning an equally visible place in the composition.

The pairing is the heart of the design. Neither object disappears into the background, allowing the round to present leadership as a combination of responsibilities. For collectors of historical allegory, the scene offers a thoughtful companion to the other Mint Club designs adapted from Wither’s collection.

Mint Club Reverse and Specifications

The reverse displays a spread-winged eagle beneath a crown, holding a flowing ribbon over a diamond-patterned field. LIMITED MINTAGE and MINT CLUB frame the composition. The design states a total mintage of 500 and includes the TWO TROY OUNCES .999 FINE SILVER hallmark.

• Weight: 2 troy ounces
• Purity: .999 fine silver
• Diameter: 39mm
• Thickness: Approximately 6mm
• Edge: Reeded
• Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated
• Total mintage: 500

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