Description

Charles II. 1660-1685. Silver Medal 1665, 105.41 g. James, Duke of York, Naval Victory against Holland. By J. Roettier. Bust, armoured and draped. IACOBVS . DVX . EBOR . ET . ALBAN . FRATER . AVGVSTISS . CAROLI . II . REGIS. Rv. Classical trophy of arms, naval engagement beyond. GENVS . ANTIQVVM. Plain edge. 63.7 mm. Eimer 229. MI i 505/143. van Loon II, 505,2. Saunders-Vanhoudt 1665-3. Vorzüglich / Extremely Fine. Leicht gereinigt / Lightly cleaned.

The Battle of Lowestoft, fought on 13 June 1665, was a significant naval engagement during the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665 - 1667). It was the first major battle of the war and resulted in a decisive victory for the English fleet, commanded by James, Duke of York, over the Dutch.
The battle highlighted the importance of naval power in European conflicts and set the stage for future Anglo-Dutch rivalries.

This medal served as a naval reward. In the list of medals by Roettier (see Stuart Papers, "Windsor") the following statement about the legend on the obverse is to be found: "This was the first inscription indeed, but the letters were (at his accession to the crown when there was not time enough to make a new medal) erased, and a new inscription made, Jacobus Secundus D. G. M. B. F. et Hib. Rex."