482

Dutch Republic Medal, Murder of Johan and Cornelis de Witt

Currency:CAD Category:Coins & Paper Money Start Price:200.00 CAD Estimated At:400.00 - 800.00 CAD
Dutch Republic Medal, Murder of Johan and Cornelis de Witt
CURRENT BID
0.00CAD+ applicable fees & taxes.
ENTER YOUR MAXIMUM ABSENTEE BID[?]
You must bid at least
200.00CAD
CAD
200.00 x 1 unit = 200.00CADApplicable fees & taxes are added at checkout.
[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2026 May 29 @ 18:00 (UTC-04:00 : AST/EDT)
U.S. BIDDERS PLEASE NOTE: due to the continuing ambiguity and risks involved in cross-border shipping, we regret that we will be UNABLE TO SHIP LOTS to the United States. Please do not submit bids as a U.S. resident, unless you are able to arrange for secure delivery to a Canadian address.
Dutch Republic, Metal, ca. 1672 commemorating the murder of brothers Johan and Cornelis de Witt. Cornelius de Witt (1623-1672) held various positions in Holland and made a name for himself when he accompanied Admiral Michael de Ruyter in great naval battles against the united English and French fleets. His brother Johan de Witt (1625-1672) was an adherent of the republican states-right party which opposed the princes of the house of Orange, who represented the federal principle and who had the support of the masses of the people. The great diplomatic skill of Johan de Witt led in 1668 to the Triple Alliance between the Dutch Republic, England and Sweden, which halted the French invasion of Spanish Netherlands. However, in 1672, after persuading Charles II of England to abandon the Dutch, Louis XIV of France suddenly declared war and invaded the United Provinces. When the French armies overran Holland, the Dutch people turned to William III of Orange for leadership. The de Witt brothers, however, opposed William III, leading to violent demonstrations against them. Cornelius was arrested on charges of conspiring against the Prince, was tortured and banished. When his brother Johan came to visit him in the Gavengenpoort at the Hague, a vast crowd burst in, seized the two brothers and tore them to pieces. Their mangled remains were hung by their feet from a lamp-post. Obv: Busts of Johan and Cornelis de Witt in the centre, with lettering around the rim “ILLVSRISSIMI.FRATRES.IOHAN:ET.CORNEL:DE.WIT.” Rev: TWEE WITTEN, EENSGEZINT, / GEVLOECKT, GHEHAET, GEMINT, / TEN SPIEGEL VAN DE GROOTEN / VERHEVEN EN VERSTOOTEN, / IN ALLES LOTGEMEEN, / STAEN NAER HUN DOOT BIJEEN / GHELIJCK ZIJ HIER NAE’T LEVEN / ZOO KONSTIG ZIJN GEDREVEN. Edge: VIOLENTA MORTE DELETI. HAGÆ COMITIS. 20 AVG : A'O.1672. Engraver/Maker: Unknown artist. Metal presents AU details with nice toning on the design with very light nicks and scratches in the fields and some raised areas. The reverse displays Unc details throughout the fields, lettering is sharp, and designs around the border are crisp and very detailed for the age. Toning presents nice golden dark hughes with signs of good preservation. References: vL.III 87/81.3. Silver, 44.8g, 48.5mm.