Sale: Triton XI, Lot: 1237. Estimate $750.  Closing Date: Monday, 7 January 2008.  Sold For $475. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LOW COUNTRIES, Amsterdam. AR Vijf stuiver Klippe (3.35 g). Siege issue. Emission of 5 January 1578. Crowned city coat-of-arms; V S flanking crown, 15 78 flanking arms; all within pearl border; solder pot stamp above / Blank. NPM Am 04; Gelder 112a; Delmonte, Argent -; Mailliet 5. VF, toned. According to Maillet, the silver for this issue was provided by the city’s statue of Sint-Nicolaas.

Ex J.D. Lasser Collection.

In the Tachtigjarige Oorlog (1568-1648), Amsterdam initially refused to join Holland, Zeeland, and the southern provinces, which wanted to push the Spanish from Dutch territory. In late 1577, the rebel Dutch forces blockaded the city. The blockade ended in February of 1578, when Amsterdam grudgingly agreed to join the rebellion against Spain. Soon after, the Catholic town council was replaced by Protestant members loyal to William, Prince of Orange, thus positioning Amsterdam as a participant in the Dutch struggle for independence. During the blockade, the city struck several denominations of silver siege coinage.