Nomos 13

Netherlands, The Dutch Republic. Medal (Silver, 62mm, 78.46 g 12), on the building of the Haarlem–Leiden Canal, Amsterdam, by P. van Abeele junior, 1659. VICIT VIM VIRTVS / + Ao 1656 . 26 . 7br . IS DE TRECKVAART VAN HAERLEM OP LEIDEN BEGONNEN . 1657 . Po . 9br . D . EERSTE SCHVIT GEVAREN (=Valor wins over force. The canal from Haarlem to Leiden was begun on 26 September 1656, and the first boat was able to travel on 1 November 1657) Canal boat drawn to right by a horseman; behind, view of Haarlem; below, oval shield bearing the arms of Haarlem with two lion supporters and with banners and weaponry around. Rev. In eleven lines: MEMORIAM . / Viae . munitae . et Fossae . / actae . ad . lintres . equo . / trahendos . in . usum . publicu- / et . commodum . viantium . opus . / ducentibus . Hug . et . Io . Steiniis / exigentibus . publice . IV viris . / Cor . Guldewagio . G . Fabritio . / M. Steinio . F . Wouterio . / hunc . nummum percussere / Consules . anni . 1659 (=As a memorial of a road made and a canal dug to be used for barges drawn by horses, all for public use and for the convenience of voyagers. The work was commenced by Hugo and Jan Stein, and directed by the four magistrates C. Guldewagen, G. Fabritius, M. Steyn, F. Wouters. The burgermeisters of the year 1659 had this medal struck). Around, oak wreath bearing the names and arms of the four burgermeisters of 1659: J. Loo, C. Guldewagen, M. Steyn and J. Druyvesteyn. TMNK 00636. Van Loon II, pp. 407-408. A particularly attractive and well-struck piece. A few very minor marks, otherwise, good extremely fine.

A beautiful piece commemorating the building of one of the earliest canals in the Netherlands: it was 30 kilometers long and served as the main transportation link between the two cities for over 200 years.