Description

Anne, 1702-1714. Silver Medal 1709, 29.15 g. Battle of Malplaquet. Unsigned, by G. Hautsch. Armoured and draped busts of Prince Eugene of Savoy and the Duke of Marlborough facing each other. EVGENIVS . FRANC . DVX . SABAVD . IOHANNES . DUV . D . MARL . S . R . I . P. Rv. Sun, partially obscured by clouds, above an open landscape. CRVENTVS OCCIDIT. In exergue: GALLI AD MONTES HAN . VICTI . A . MDCCIX . D . XI . SEPT. Plain edge. 43.9 mm. Eimer 439. MI ii 360/198. van Loon V, 145,4. Saunders/Vanhoudt 1709-17. Fast FDC / About Mint State. Prachtexemplar / Cabinet piece.

Purchased from Spink & Son, London, February 1992, lot 319.

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.

The medal was struck in Nuremberg.