421, Lot: 715. Estimate $300. Sold for $380. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

DUTCH REVOLT (Nederlandse Opstand), Low Countrie. Amsterdam. Besieged by the States-General, December 1577-8 February 1578. AR 20 Stuiver Klippe (32x32mm; 12h). Emission of 5 January 1578. Dated 1578. Crowned city coat-of-arms; X X flanking crown, 15 78 flanking arms; all within circular pearl border; vuurstaal (fire steel) stamp above / [(star) P (star)/A]R · ET/(star) FO in three lines; all within wreath. P&W Am 02; Gelder, Noodmunten, 118a; Delmonte, Argent 194; Mailliet 3³; Lasser 1139; CNM 2.02.6. In NGC encapsulation, 3748155-005, graded VF 30. Flan crack, reverse double struck.

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.