FRANCE, Royal. Louis XIV le Roi Soleil (the Sun King). 1643–1715. CU Jeton (25mm, 4.25 g, 6h). Burning the Dutch Fleet at Tobago. Struck 1677.

Electronic Auction 513
Lot: 577. Estimated: $ 100

World Tokens, Copper

Sold For $ 160. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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FRANCE, Royal. Louis XIV le Roi Soleil (the Sun King). 1643–1715. CU Jeton (25mm, 4.25 g, 6h). Burning the Dutch Fleet at Tobago. Struck 1677. LVDOVICS MAGNVS REX, head right / INGENSA BATAVORVM CLASSE, Victory standing left on prow, head right, holding thunderbolt and palm frond. Feuardent 12672a. Brown surfaces, cleaned. VF.

This jeton commemorates a naval battle in the Carribean over the island of Tobago during the Franco-Dutch War (1672-1678). A French naval force under Jean II d'Estrées attempted to recapture Tobago and was repulsed by the lively Dutch resistance under their commander Jacon Binckes. Despite the clear propaganda present on the jeton suggesting that the French were successful in the battle, in reality they suffered heavy casualties including the loss of their flagship. It seems likely this issue was meant to control the narrative of the war by Louis XIV and convince his citizens that French armies and fleets were achieving victory on all fronts of the war.

Closing Date and Time: 6 April 2022 at 13:12:00 ET.

All winning bids are subject to an 18% buyer’s fee.