Novigrad is a free city within Redania and therefore not subject to the rule of that kingdom. It is one of the major ports of the continent. Population of Novigrad is nearly 30,000 inhabitants and it is one of the largest cities in the North.
The coat of arms for Novigrad is not actually described in the novels. This particular coat of arms was designed by our resident heraldry and Witcher expert Mboro. For a different take on the coat of arms, we have the Czech concept.
In Chapter I, one of the travellers walking on the roads recognizes Geralt, and comments how the witcher helped him with some garkains in Novigrad several years prior. However, he could not pay the witcher for his services at the time. Having recognized Geralt, he gives him 100 .