Nomos 36

FRANCE. Jules Mazarin, Cardinal and Prime Minister of France, 1602-1641-1642-1661. Medal (Bronze, 53 mm, 62.10 g, 12 h), a struck medal, muling an obverse by Jean Warin (1606-1672) and a reverse by an uncertain 16th century medalist, Paris, circa '1660', but probably 18th century. •IVLIVS•CARDINALIS•MAZARINVS• Bust of Mazarin to right, wearing cap and simple robes. Rev. 1552•HÆC❀TIBI❀META❀ (=these things are for you, Metz) View of Metz, besieged by the Imperial forces under Charles V. Cf. Jones II, 218-221 (for the obverse) and Jones I, 227 (for reverse). Attractive and interesting. Minor marks, otherwise, extremely fine.

From the collection of a Bon Vivant.

The reverse of this medal commemorates the successful defence of Metz by François, Duc de Guise (1519-1563), against the imperial forces led by Charles V (19 October 1552-3 January 1553). While the garrison was severely outnumbered (c. 6000 troops faced as many as 60000 besiegers), the attackers suffered severely from disease, and, finally, were forced to withdraw after losing as many as 50% of their number. Metz only became legally a part of France through the terms of the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648.