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Auction: 25055 - British Medals and World Coins featuring The Hurter-Amman Collection of Ancient and European Gold
Lot: 724

Namur Retaken, AR-Gilt Medal, 1695, by P. H. Müller, * PROVINCIA RESTITUTA *, Namur crowned and seated, holds her shield, palm branch and sceptre, river gods, Meuse and Sambre, either side, MDCXCV in exergue, rev. 11 line inscription, view of Namur on the base of the monument, Fame and Bellona either side, ERIPITVR GALLS VRBS AC CASTELLA NAMVRCI HOC REX ANGLE POTES ! TV QVOQVE BOIE POTES, on edge, 50mm, 44.62g [688.59grns] (MI ii, 134/388; van Loon 200), darker areas of toning to the peripheries, much as struck, very rare

Provenance

The Craven Collection of British Historical Medals


'This piece was struck at Nuremburg; and was also issued in wood for use as a draughtsman. The French boasted that they had made Namur impregnable, and when it was taken a stone was discovered, ready to be places over the great gate, inscribed, REDDI POTEST NON VINCI (It may be surrendered, not conquered). The medal retorts upon them that it could be both one and the other; and as Villeroy retired with his great army as soon as he discovered the strong position of the covering army, it is sarcastically intimated that his only object in approaching Namur was to witness the result of the attack' (MI ii, p.135)

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Estimate
£800 to £1,200

Starting price
£550