Description

Anne, 1702-1714. Silver Medal 1708, 37.62 g. Battle of Oudenarde. By J. Croker. Bust, crowned and draped. ANNA . D : G : MAG : BRI : FR : ET . HIB : REG: Rv. Two captives at the base of a column, surmounted by Victory and decorated with French standards. GALLIS . AD . ALDENARD . VICTIS. In exergue: XXX . IUNII . MDCCVIII. Plain edge. 43.9 mm. Eimer 433. MI ii 322/148. van Loon V, 106,2. Saunders/Vanhoudt 1708-20. Gutes vorzüglich / About Uncirculated. Feine Patina / Nicely toned.

From the auction Münz Zentrum Albrecht + Hoffmann GmbH, Cologne, lot 2965.

The Battle of Oudenarde was a major engagement of the War of the Spanish Succession, pitting an Anglo-Dutch force against a French force. The French, at the commencement of the campaign, had surprised some of the towns of Flanders, notably Ghent and Bruges, and obtained possession of them. They then determined to attack Oudenarde, a place of the utmost importance to them as well as to the Allies. By almost incredible exertions, celerity, and skill, Marlborough out-manoeuvred the enemy, compelled them to engage, and signally defeated them.

Their loss amounted to 3,000 killed, 2,000 deserters, and 7,000 prisoners, besides the wounded who were left upon the field of battle. Eugene joined the Duke a day or two before the battle, and commanded the British right. The French were commanded by the Duke of Burgundy and the Duke of Vendome.