NEWP: 1666 Admiral Michiel Adriaanszoon de Ruyter Medal

Zohar

Ran across this monster size, 72mm, of a medal and couldn't resist. Rare, historical and quite detailed.

1666, William III of Orange, Ruler of the Netherlands 1672-1702 (King of the Great Britain 1688-1702). Michiel Adriaanszoon de Ruyter (1607-1676), admiral. By Christoffel Adolfszoon. AR Medal. 72mm, 125.93 g, 12h. Naval Action against Holland. MI 522/169; Eimer-239; van Loon III, p. 186. Obv: Armored and draped bust facing slightly right, head turned slightly left, wearing cravat and Collar of the Order of St. Michael. Rev: Naval engagement, with burning ship in foreground; in exergue, PVGNANDO (through fighting). Legend: (outer) 'MICHAEL DE RVITER PROVINCIARVM CONFOEDERAT'; (inner) 'BELGIC: ARCHITHA= LASSVS DVX ET EQVES' (Michael de Ruyter, High Admiral of the United Provinces of the Netherlands, General and Knight). Van Loon has placed this medal under the year 1676, as if relating to De Ruyter's death in the naval engagement off Syracuse. The reverse refers, however, to the war with England, and occurs on other medals of this time. Issued following his success in the Four Days Battle fought in June 1666. The obverse image is taken from the portrait by Ferdinand Bol, painted after the action. Issued following his success in the Four Days Battle fought in June 1666.
1667.
Born on 24th of March, 1607 in Vlissingen, Michiel de Ruyter went ashore at the age of 11 as a boat boy, entered the service in 1640 and took part in 40 sea battles and battles. One of the most famous and skilled admirals in Dutch history, Michiel de Ruyter became best known for his role in the Anglo-Dutch Wars of the mid-17th century, in which he scored several major victories, keeping the Netherlands secure. Widely-loved and admired by his sailors and soldiers, he gained the nickname Bestevaêr (old Dutch for ‘grandfather’). He died on April 24, 1676, fatally wounded in action from a cannonball injury during the Battle of Agosta in Syracuse.

_Ex Clarence & Helen Zaar Maritime Collection.
_

Iosephus

Stunning medal! The Dutch made some very impressive medals with frontal portraits. One of these days I need to add some to my collection - yours is a spectacular example of the art form.

BillDugan1959

Wonderful piece, very wonderful - but why does your description say 1666 'Great Britain' ?

Seemingly a Dutch production.

Zohar

Thank you. The various citations/listings I found note these as British or Dutch, I assume given the combative nature of the historical event. Clearly it is a Dutch engraving and your view is the correct one. I will modify accordingly.

harasha

My creaky Latin was bothered by the simple translation of "Pugnando." More likely, the word references a Latin phrase, "Ob patriam pugnando," which may make more sense. "Fighting for the Homeland."

Icollecteverything

I like how the sail on the boat at 3:00 goes right to the edge.

desslok

Now that is what is known as the "wow factor". Amazing medal.

Stork

PatAR

Excellent medal! A grand way to commemorate de Ruyter's adventures!

Thanks to my incessant curiosity, a bit more background for you:

The photos you provided of the medal at an angle exhibit characteristics reminiscent of several early 1800s medals I've encountered. That forced me to look it up to satisfy my curiosity. This medal matches Eimer 238, the entry for which states that the original medal is 68mm and that another medal based on this was issued circa 1830 with a diameter of 72mm. Either way a lovely medal and a prize for any collection!

Nap

Awesome naval battle depiction!

worldcoinguy

Another beautiful addition and history lesson. "Coin in hand" pics are impressive.

marcmoish

@worldcoinguy said:
Another beautiful addition and history lesson. "Coin in hand" pics are impressive.

yes!!. please don't slab it!

Zohar

@marcmoish said:

@worldcoinguy said:
Another beautiful addition and history lesson. "Coin in hand" pics are impressive.

yes!!. please don't slab it!

Zohar - don't drop it!

Zohar

Found The Frick Collection's issue of "The Proud Republic, Dutch Medals of the Golden Age" edited by Stephen K. Scher, who is at the forefront of Renaissance Medal collecting and writing. One page 44, I found this medal type - pretty cool.

JCMhouston

Very cool Z.

RMW

I wanna know who their hair stylists were.

Zohar

@PatAR - you are spot on with your ID. Thank you.

numismagram

I remember working this piece up back in the day. Really cool and impressive type, and from an extensive collection of coins and medals featuring ships: https://cngcoins.com/Coin.aspx?CoinID=185618