Description

William III. 1694-1702. Silver Medal 1697, 2.88 g. Treaty of Ryswick. By J. Luder. Female figure holding a branch of olive, raises a kneeling mother with a baby in her arms. DE BARMHERTIGHEYD ROEMT TGEN HET ORDEEL. Rv. An altar with burning arms, shield of Muiden with fesse in front, supported by two Tritons. DE VREEDE TOT RYSWYK GESLOOTEN. In exergue: 1697. Plain edge. 20.8 mm. Eimer -. MI ii 175/464. van Loon IV, 248,2. Saunders/Vanhoudt 1697-15. Vorzüglich / Extremely Fine. Feine Patina / Nicely toned.

From the auction Karel de Geus Muntveilingen 15, Eindhoven, January 2003, lot 775.

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.

There are reportedly six varieties of this medalet, chiefly differing in the position of the bird and other minor details.