Description

William III. 1694-1702. Silver Medal 1697, 109.95 g. Treaty of Ryswick. By R. Arondeaux. Europa crowned, offering at an altar inscribed PACIS ARA. PAX ADES ET TOTO MITIS IN ORBE MANE. In exergue: EUROPA. Rv. Peace seated on a pedestal, holding olive branch and caduceus; at her feet a cornucopia. TRANQUILLUS GAUDEAT ORBIS. In exergue: PACE FRVGIFERA INTER GALLOS BATAVOS BELLIQVE SOCIOS RESTITVTA CONSVLES SENATVSQVE AMSTELODAMENSIS NVMISMA HOC CVDI IVSSERVNT MDCLXXXXVII. Plain edge. 67.9 mm. Eimer -. MI ii 171/455. van Loon IV, 271,2. Saunders/Vanhoudt 1697-54. Vorzüglich-FDC / About Uncirculated.

From the auction Peus 376/377, Frankfurt a. M., November 2003, lot 2143.

The Treaty of Ryswick, signed in 1697, marked the end of the Nine Years' War (1688 - 1697), a major conflict between France under King Louis XIV and the Grand Alliance, which included England, the Dutch Republic, the Holy Roman Empire, Spain, and other European powers.

It was more of a truce than a lasting peace. It failed to address the issue of the Spanish succession, which would soon plunge Europe into another major war. Louis XIV's retention of Strasbourg and other strategic gains demonstrated that France remained a powerful and ambitious force in Europe.

This medal was struck by order of the Magistrates of Amsterdam. The specimens in gold were presented to each of the thirty-six members who composed the Council of the City.