Description

Anne, 1702-1714. Silver Medal 1709, 39.89 g. Battle of Malplaquet. By J. Croker. Bust, crowned, armoured and draped. ANNA . D : G . MAG : BRI : FR : ET . HIB : REG: Rv. Battle scene in a wood; Victory hovering with two laurel wreaths. CONCORDIA . ET . VIRTVTE. In exergue: GALLIS . AD . TAISNIERE . DEVICTIS . AVG : XXXI . MDCCIX. Plain edge. 47.5 mm. Eimer 438. MI ii 359/197. van Loon V, 145,3. Saunders/Vanhoudt 1709-16. Vorzüglich / Extremely Fine. Feine Patina / Nicely toned.

From the auction Münzenhandlung Heinrich Winter 45, Dusseldorf, May 1983, lot 2915.

The Battle of Malplaquet, fought on 11 September 1709, was one of the bloodiest engagements of the War of the Spanish Succession (1701 - 1714). It pitted the forces of the Grand Alliance (led by England, the Dutch Republic, and the Holy Roman Empire) against the French army. Although the Grand Alliance technically won the battle, the heavy casualties and strategic consequences made it a Pyrrhic victory. It was a turning point in the War of the Spanish Succession, leading to a prolonged stalemate and eventual peace negotiations.