Anne, 1702-1714. Silver Medal 1706, 29.11 g. Barcelona Relieved. By M. Brunner. Bust of Charles III. of Spain, armoured and draped. CAROLVS . III . HISPANIAR ET INDIAR . REX . CATHOL. On truncation monogram MB. Rv. Charles, armed, protects Barcelona under his shield and menaces Philip, who flees. TVTORI AC CONSERVATORI SVO. In exergue: BARCELLONA AB OBSID . IRRIT . DVCIS ANDEGAV . LIBERATA . 12 . MAII . 1706 . GFN. Plain edge. 43.2 mm. Eimer -. MI ii 284/91. van Loon V, 22,3. Saunders/Vanhoudt 1706-3. Gutes sehr schön / Good Very Fine.

Purchased from Spink & Son, London, February 1992, lot 295.

The siege of Barcelona took place between 3 and 27 April 1706 during the War of the Spanish Succession when a Franco-Spanish army laid siege to Barcelona in an attempt to recapture the city following its fall to an English-led Allied army the previous year.

After the Grand Alliance victory at Barcelona, the solar eclipse of 12 May 1706 was widely interpreted as the “eclipse of Sun King”.

This medal was dedicated by Barcelona to Charles III as her protector and preserver. It does not mention Great Britain, but it commemorates an event effected by her means.