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In 1561, Riga obtained the status of Free Imperial City, meaning that it was not subject to any intermediate ruler such as a duke or count, but was directly subject to the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. This status lasted until 1581.
Starting in 1575, Riga used a coin striking machine known as a "Walzwerk," consisting of rolls of obverse and reverse dies. A metal plate was fed between the rolls, receiving impressions of both dies, and the coins were then cut out. This increased the speed that coins could be produced as prior to this coins were struck by hammer blow.
Several denominations were struck, though the most common is the schilling. The standard obverse style shows the coat of arms of Riga (stone portal with two flagged towers, small cross on top, and the head of a lion in the gates), and has the legend CIVITATIS RIGENSIS. The standard reverse style shows the small coat of arms of Riga (two crossed keys with a small cross above), and has the legend MONE NO ARGENTEA. A number of varieties exist, several of which are shown below. Coins are shown at three times their normal diameter for ease in comparing the variations.
While the castle and other imagery varies from coin to coin, the variations identified here primarily consist of differences in the obverse and reverse legends, both in how the legend reads, and how the various components are separated.
Legend separators used on these coins are documented here, and this article describes these coins in greater detail.
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6S CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 4r MONE 5f NO 5f ARGENTEA |
| Open circle below the keys. | |
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6S CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 6S MONETA 6S NOVA 6S RIGE |
| The reverse legend is changed to MONETA NOVA RIGE, and the cross above the keys is much larger. Pellet below the keys. | |
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6S CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 6S MONETA 6S NOVA 6S RIGE |
| The reverse legend is changed to MONETA NOVA RIGE, and the cross above the keys is much larger. Pellet below the keys. The reverse die is the same as previous (later die stage - larger chips, etc.), but the obverse die is different. | |
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6S CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 6S MONETA 6S NOVA 6S RIGE |
| This coin is identical to the previous one, although both the obverse and reverse dies are more worn. | |
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6S CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS P 6S MONE 6S NO 6S RIGENSIS |
| RIGENSIS appears on both the obverse and reverse. Pellet below the keys. | |
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6S CIVITATES F RIGENSIS 4r MONE 5f NO 5f ARGENTEA |
| CIVITATIS is misspelled (last I is an E). Open circle below the keys. | |
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6S CIVITATES F RIGENSIS 4r MONE 5f NO 5f ARGENTEA |
| CIVITATIS is misspelled (last I is an E). Open circle below the keys. | |
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P CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5f MONE 6s NO 6s ARGENTEA |
| Rosette below the keys. | |
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C CIVITATI F RIGENSIS 5f MONE 5f NO 5f ARGENTEA |
| Open circle below the keys. | |
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6S CIVTTATIS F RIGENSIS F MONE 6S NO 6S ARGENTEA |
| Pellet below the keys. | |
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6S CIVTTATIS F RIGENSIS MONE 6S NO 6S ARGENTEA |
| Pellet below the keys. The cross above the keys is so high that it is the legend separator. | |
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6S CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 6S MONE 5f NO 5f ARGENTEA |
| Obverse legend begins with a star. Pellet below the keys. | |
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P CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 4R MONE 5f NO 5f ARGENTEA |
| Obverse legend begins with a pellet, reverse legend begins with a large 4-petaled rosette. | |
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P CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5f MONE 5f NO 5f ARGENTEA |
| Obverse legend begins with a pellet, reverse legend begins with a small 5-petaled rosette. The key handles are decorated with extra dots. Open circle below the keys. | |
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6S CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5f MONE 5f NO 5f ARGENTEA |
| Obverse legend begins with a star, reverse legend begins with a small 5-petaled rosette. Open circle below the keys. | |
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C CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS FL MONE FL NO FL ARGENTEA |
| Small clip at the base. Small open circle separator and below the keys. | |
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C CIVITATI F RIGENSIS 5R MONE 5R NO 5R ARGENTEA |
| Small open circle separator, and below the keys. | |
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P CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5f MONE 5f NO 5f ARGENTEA |
| Small open circle separator, and below the keys. | |
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P CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5f MONE 5f NO 5f ARGENTEA |
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6s CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS lf MONE 6s NO 6s ARGENTEA |
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6s CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS P MONE 5f NO 5f ARGENTE |
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P CIVITATIS F RIGENSI 5f MONE 5f NO 5f ARGENTA |
| The A of CIVITATIS is an upside-down V. Pellet below the keys. | |
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P CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS P MONE 5f NO 5f ARGENTE |
| Cross high enough to place the pellet to the left. Indent on the reverse - uneven strike? Rosette below the keys. | |
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CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5f MONE 5f NO 5f AEGENTEA |
| Small open circle below the keys. The C of CIVITATIS overlaps the last S of RIGENSIS. The A's on the reverse are upside-down V's. | |
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CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5f MONE 5f NO 5f ARGENTEA |
| Small open circle below the keys. The C of CIVITATIS is to the left of 12:00 position. The A's on the reverse are upside-down V's. | |
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FL CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5f MONE 5f NO 5f ARGENTEA |
| The flower at the start of the legend is superimposed on the S of RIGENSIS. Small open circle below the keys. The C of CIVITATIS is to the left of 12:00 position. | |
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FL CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5f MONE 5f NO 5f ARGENTEA |
| The flower at the start of the legend is superimposed on the S of RIGENSIS. Small open circle below the keys. The C of CIVITATIS is to the left of 12:00 position. | |
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6S CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 4r MONE 6s NO 6s ARGENTEA |
| Circle below the keys. | |
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6S CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5f MONE 6s NO 6s ARGENTEA |
| Circle below the keys. | |
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6S CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 6S MONE 6s NO 6s ARGENTEA |
| Pellet below the keys. | |
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| Circle below the keys. | |
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6S P CIVITATIS F RIENSIS 4r MONE 6s NO 6s ARGENTE |
| Open circle below the keys. | |
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<?> CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| Open circle below the keys. The obverse legend is irregular. | |
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6S CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| Open circle below the keys. | |
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6S CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONETA 5r NOVA 5r RIGE |
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6S CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS lf MONE 6S NO 6S ARGENTEA |
| Open circle below the keys. | |
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6S CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 4r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| Open circle below the keys. | |
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6S CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| Open circle below the keys. | |
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6S CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS F MONE 6S NO 6S ARGENTEA |
| Closed circle below the keys. | |
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6S CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS P P MONE 5s NO 5s ARGENTE |
| Star below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| Five-petaled rosette below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 3L MONE 5r NO 5r ARGNTEA |
| ARGENTEA is misspelled (missing first E). 3 pellets begin the reverse legend. Open circle below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r ARGENTA 5r MONE 5r NO |
| The reverse legend is rotated, with MONE NO last, followed by ARGENTA. Open circle below keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r ARGENTA 5r MONE 5r NO |
| The reverse legend is rotated, with MONE NO last, followed by ARGENTEA. Open circle below keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| Large pellet below keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSI 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| Rosette below keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| Open circle below keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| Rosette below keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| The reverse legend has been substantially reworked. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F R<?>SIS 5r MONE 5R/5r NO 5R ARG<?>TEA |
| The second rosette on the reverse is a large rosette struck over a small rosette. Small rosette below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5R NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| Large rosette below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENIS 5r MONE 5R NO 5R ARGENTE |
| Rosette below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5R NO 5r ARGENTE |
| The keys on the reverse are so low that they intersect the inner ring. Rosette below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5R NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| Rosette below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSI 5r MONE 5R NO 5r ARGENTE |
| Rosette below the keys. | |
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CIVITATI F RIGENIS 5r MONE 5R NO 5r ARGENTE |
| Rosette below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENI 5r MONE 5R NO 5r ARGENTE |
| Rosette below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5R NO 5r ARGENT |
| Rosette below the keys. | |
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CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| Large flower below the keys. Double-struck right key. Last A of ARGENTEA is an upside-down V. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSI 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTE |
| Rosette below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTE |
| Rosette below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATI F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| Rosette below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATI? F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTE |
| Rosette below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATI F RIGENIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTE |
| Rosette below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATI F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTE |
| Rosette below the keys. Very angled 7s. CIVITATI or CIVITATE? | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTE |
| Rosette below the keys. Very thin S in RIGENSIS. | |
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5r CIVITAT<?> RIGENSIS <?>MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTE |
| Rosette below the keys. Open circles beyond the rim of the coin. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F R<?>SIS "5r MONE 5r NO 5r AR<?>EA |
| Rosette below the keys. The last A of ARGENTEA is at the 12:00 position, causing the legend sepaarator to be pushed into the rim. | |
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5r CIVITATIS P F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| Rosette below the keys. Smeared reverse. | |
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C 5r CIVITATIS P F RIGENSI 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| Rosette below the keys. Multiple legend separators | |
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5r CIVITATIS P F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| Rosette below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENT |
| Small rosette below the keys. The cross is doubled. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| Large flower below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENT |
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<?> CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
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5r/5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| The rosette at the start of the obverse legend is struck over a rosette of the same type. A rosette is below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATI F RIGENSIS 5r 5r MONE 5R NO 5R ARGENTEA |
| A rosette is below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSI 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTE |
| On the reverse, a fleur is in place of the cross above the keys. A rosette is below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r 5r MONE 5R NO 5R ARGETE |
| On the reverse, a fleur is in place of the cross above the keys. Two rosettes act as the obverse legend separator. A rosette is below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r 5r MONE 5R NO 5R ARGENTEA |
| A rosette is below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r 5r MONE 5R NO 5R ARGENTE |
| A rosette is below the keys. A fleur is above the cross. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS P 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTE |
| The reverse has both a pellet and a rosette as a legend separator. A rosette is below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS P 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTE |
| The reverse has both a pellet and a rosette as a legend separator. A rosette is below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| Shorter descender on the 7. A rosette is below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| A rosette is below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| The 8 is doubled. A rosette is below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| Rosette below the keys. Several obverse legend letters doubled. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| Rosette below the keys. The 8 is doubled. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTE |
| Rosette below the keys. The 8 is doubled. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| A rosette is below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| A rosette is below the keys. The gate is angled upward to the right. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| A rosette is below the keys. The gate is angled downward to the right. The A of ARGENTEA is huge. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTE |
| A rosette is below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTE |
| A rosette is below the keys. | |
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5r CIVITATIS F RIGENSIS 5r MONE 5r NO 5r ARGENTEA |
| A rosette is below the keys. | |