Sale: Nomos 5, Lot: 81. Estimate CHF3000.  Closing Date: Monday, 24 October 2011.  Sold For CHF2600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

Netherlands, Amsterdam. 1684. Medal (Silver, 61mm, 83.85 g 12), on the Truce of Ratisbon (Regensburg) between France and Spain, 1684, Amsterdam. DUBUS PRÆLATA TROPHÆIS (=preferable to uncertain victories) At the center, an altar formed by a globe piled with the scepters of the Empire, France and Spain; on the left, warrior with three fleurs de lis on his shoulder representing France standing right, offering the choice of a sword or a palm branch to another warrior, representing Spain with the tower of Castile on his shoulder and a shield with the arms of Spain, standing left and grasping the palm branch; in the background at their feet, bucolic scenes; below the altar in the exergue, eagle with spread wings, representing the Empire, clutching the serpent of discord in its beak. Rev. CONSERVAT UTRAMQUE (=she preserves both) The crowned city goddess of Amsterdam standing facing, holding a lance tipped with a liberty cap in her right hand and resting her left on a bag of coins atop a round altar adorned with crossed swords; to the left, flaming altar adorned with crossed palm branches; behind, ships at sea; on the altar bases, ANNO - 1684; in exergue, INDUCIIS XX AN / PACIS (=truce of twenty years concluded in the year 1684).. Pax in Nummis 324. Van Loon III, pp. 296-297. Very rare. Finely toned and very attractive, extremely fine.

Ex Künker 87, 24 September 2003, 2940.

The so-called War of the Reunions (1683-1684) was one of the more obscure conflicts of the 17th century. It concerned minor territorial claims that remained unsettled after earlier conflicts and took place around Luxembourg and Charleroi, pitting French forces against those of Spain and the Empire. It ended somewhat inconclusively in a truce for twenty years: this was prompted by the massive Ottoman invasion of Austrian territory that began in April 1683.