CNG 108, Lot: 1020. Estimate $400. Sold for $900. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

DUTCH REVOLT (Nederlandse Opstand), Low Countries. Amsterdam. Besieged by the States-General, December 1577-8 February 1578. AR 5 Stuiver Klippe (20x21mm, 3.33 g). Emission of 5 January 1578. Dated 1578. Crowned city coat-of-arms; V S flanking crown, 15 78 flanking arms; all within circular pearl border; soldeervaasje (solder pot) stamp above / Blank. P&W Am 04; Gelder, Noodmunten, 112a; Delmonte, Argent –; Mailliet 5; Lasser 1130-1; CNM 2.02.14. VF, toned.

Ex Archer M. Huntington Collection, ANS 1001.57.6895 (Numismatica Genevensis SA VII, 27 November 2012), lot 544 .

According to Maillet, the silver for this issue was provided by the city’s statue of Sint-Nicolaas.

In the Dutch Revolt, Amsterdam initially refused to join Holland, Zeeland, and the southern provinces, all of whom 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.