Siege of Groningen

Triton XVI, Lot: 1506. Estimate $1500. Sold for $1600. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LOW COUNTRIES, Groningen. Lot of four (4) AR Klippes. Siege issues. Dated 1672. Crowned coat-of-arms / Blank. Includes: AR Vijftig stuiver Klippe. Delmonte, Argent 736; Maillet 6 // AR Vijfentwintig stuiver Klippe. Delmonte, Argent 737; Maillet 11 // AR Twaalfeneenhalf stuiver Klippe. Delmonte, Argent 738; Maillet 13 // AR Zes en kwart stuiver Klippe. Delmonte, Argent p. 173 note; Maillet 16. VF. Rare complete set.

In the Franco-Dutch War (1672-1678), France and its allies invaded the United Netherlands in an attempt to capture land from the weaker Dutch forces. Ever eager to increase his influence and power, Christoph Bernhard von Galen, bishop of Münster, joined the French and besieged the Dutch city of Groningen in 1672. The siege was ultimately unsuccessful, and Bishop von Galen retreated on 28 August of the same year. This coin was struck afterward to commemorate the end of the siege. 28 August is still celebrated as a local holiday in Groningen; it is called “Bomm’n Berend” after the nickname given to Bishop von Galen by the townspeople.