Nomos 12

NETHERLANDS, The Dutch Republic. Medal (Silver, 51mm, 45.88 g 12), on the Battle of Turnhout, won by Maurice of Orange against the Spaniards, 1597. SOLI DEO HONOR ET GLORIA (honor and glory solely to God) The lion of Belgium to left, crowned and holding sword and seven arrows. Rev. ORDINVM / AVSPICIIS.PRIN / CIPIS.MAVRITII. / DVCTV.HOSTE.AD / TVRNHOVTVM.CAESO /DECEM .OPIDIS.ET / TRIBVS.ARCIBVS.EX / PVGNATIS.ET.TOTA /CISRHENANA.DI / TIONE.PACATA /.1597. (=the enemy having been defeated at Turnhout, under the auspices of the United Provinces and the command of Maurice, ten cities and three castles were taken and all the territory below the Rhine placed in security). MI I, p. 166. 152. Van Loon I, pp. 484-485, vi. Rare. Beautifully toned and sharp, a lovely piece. Good extremely fine.

This is one of many Dutch medals commemorating the Battle of Turnhout in 1597, in which the Dutch forces drove off a Spanish army. This was extremely significant because up to this point the Spanish army had been virtually unbeatable. Thus, Turnhout gave the Dutch an enormous moral boost and the confidence to continue their long fight for independence. The city of Turnhout did not, however, remain in Dutch hands and is today in the province of Antwerp in Belgium.