Netherlands. 1667. Medal (Silver, 71.5mm, 124.23 g 12), struck to commemorate the Peace of Breda between Great Britain and Holland, by Christoffel Adolfzoon (c.1631-1680). MITIS ET FORTIS (= gentle and strong) Hollandia, helmeted and partially armored, holding a scepter with an eye at its end in her right hand and a lance bound with the arrows of the Netherlands in her left, standing facing, between a lamb and a lion, her left foot treading on the figure of Discord, a semi-nude gorgon-headed old woman, lying before her; behind her on her right, Dutch warships sailing to left; on her left, British warships burning; behind, the palace at Breda; in exergue, PROCUL.HINC.MALA.BESTIA / REGNIS! IUN: 22. / 1667.C.A. (=go away from these states, you vicious beast!) followed by the date of the Treaty of Breda and the engraver’s initials.
Rev. Pax, draped but with one breast bare, standing facing, her hair billowing out behind her and holding sword tipped with an olive wreath in her right hand and a cornucopiae and caduceus with her left; above, flanked by garlands of fruit, hand of God emerging from the clouds holding the shields of England and the Netherlands, and, to left and right of Pax’s neck, long ribbon inscribed IRATO BELLUM PLACATO NUMINE PAX EST (=war from an angry divinity, peace from one appeased; behind, peacefully sailing merchant ships; below her feet, arms and a crown; in exergue below, REDIIT.CONCORDIAE.MATER / BREDAE (=Mother Concord has returned at Breda) and shield bearing the arms of Breda between IUL.31 .Ao.1667.
On the edge: NUMISMA.POSTERITATI.SACRUM.BELGA.BRITANNOQUE RECONCILIATIS,CUM.PRIVIL:ORDIN:HOLLAND:ET:WEST (=A medal consecrated to posterity on the occasion of the Peace between the United Provinces and Great Britain. With the permission of the States of Holland and West Friesland). M. I. pp. 528-529, 176. PiN 257. Scher, The Proud Republic, 38. Van Loon II, pp. 534-536. Very rare, a beautiful, impressive and very important medal of great historic significance. Attractively toned. A few very minor marks, otherwise, good extremely fine.
Hammer Price: 5000 CHFEstimate: 4500 CHF