Nomos 12

NETHERLANDS, The Dutch Republic. Medal (Silver, 58mm, 60.14 g 12), on the Peace of Wesphalia between the Dutch and Spain; by S. Dadler from a sketch by Boxhorn, 1648. Seven naked young women (the Seven Dutch Provinces), their hands clasped together and with shields bearing their arms suspended between them on a long wreath passing over their waists, dancing around a hat inscribed PAX ET LIBERT FOED BELGII (=the Peace and Liberty of the United Provinces), around, olive wreath. Rev. LIBERTATI / FOEDERAT:BELGAR: / TOT:PROPE SÆCULI / BELLUM CUM HISPAN: / AETERNA PACE / AETERNAE PACTAE / ANNO / M.DC.XL.VIII, /BOXH:INUEN: S.D.F. Inscription of 9 lines plus signatures; all within olive wreath. Deth./Ord. 34. Maué 7o PiN 100. Van Loon pp. 304-305, vii. Very rare. Attractively toned. Some tiny marks, otherwise, extremely fine.

From the collection of J.W. Adams, Künker 232, 17 June 2013, 295.

This medal is really quite remarkable for the way the seven Dutch provinces are symbolized as being seven rather solid, tall and powerful looking young women. This is not at all very different from the way young Dutch women appear today; though they are fairly unlikely to be found dancing naked in circles, at least when they are not on holiday.