Description

William III. 1694-1702. Silver Medal 1694 (1695), 54.98 g. Death of Mary II. By J. Dishoecke. Bust, draped. MARIA . D . G . M . BRIT . FRAN . ET . HIB . REG . F . D . P . A. Rv. A sarcophagus with a cyprus tree at each corner. In front is a tablet inscribed NATA . XXX . AP . MDCLXII . DENATA . XXVIII . DEC . MDCXCIIII . S . V. On it is a laureated skull between two branches of palm; above is a radiated circle of stars; below, on the ground, are crowns and sceptres. MELIORI ORNATA CORONA. Plain edge. 49.5 mm. Eimer -. MI ii 121/365. van LOON IV, 183,3. Saunders/Vanhoudt 1695-9. Fast vorzüglich / About Extremely Fine. Leicht gereinigt / Lightly cleaned.

Purchased from Spink Numismatic Circular, London, May 1996, lot 3099.

Mary's death from smallpox in 1694 at the age of 32 left William as sole ruler until his death in 1702, when he was succeeded by Mary's sister, Anne.

The laureated skull on the tomb indicates the triumph of death, the circle of stars the triumph of immortality.