Description

Anne, 1702-1714. Satirical Silver Medal 1714, 27.56 g. On the Ratification of the Peace of Utrecht. Unsigned, by C. Wermuth. Three men, an Englishman, a Frenchman, and a Dutchman, all partially undressed, defecate in common under a wall; the Englishman says, I AM PLEASE; the Frenchman, SI VOUS PLAIT; and the Dutchman, who smokes his pipe, IK MAEK MEE. CONCORDIA RE PARVAE CRESCVNT. In exergue: NOOT BREKT ISEN . PAX OU TREC . 1713. Rv. The same three men, fully dressed, throw at each other their faeces which they are represented making on the other side; the Englishman says FIE, WHAT IS THAT!; the Frenchman SANS REGARD; and the Dutchman, still smoking his pipe, WAT! BEHAEGT U DAT? DISCORDIA MAXIMA DILABVNTVR. In exergue: DAT SOL IE HIER BEWISN . PAX IN TREC . 1714. Plain edge. 44.2 mm. Eimer -. MI ii 409/273. Wohlfahrt 14 010. Fast vorzüglich / About Extremely Fine. Feine Patina / Nicely toned.

From the auction Auktionen Meister & Sonntag 2, Stuttgart, September 2004, lot 1515.

The Peace of Utrecht, concluded in 1713, was a series of treaties that ended the War of the Spanish Succession (1701 - 1714), one of the most significant conflicts in early 18th-century Europe. The peace negotiations involved multiple European powers and reshaped the political and territorial landscape of the continent. The treaties are named after the Dutch city of Utrecht, where many of the negotiations took place. Great Britain gained significant territories, including Gibraltar and Minorca from Spain, securing strategic naval bases in the Mediterranean. Furthermore, France ceded Newfoundland, Acadia (modern-day Nova Scotia), and Hudson Bay to Britain, strengthening British colonial power in North America.

The Protestant succession in Britain was secured, with the recognition of Queen Anne and the future Hanoverian succession (George I). Also, Louis XIV recognized the Hanoverian succession in Britain, abandoning support for the Jacobite claim of James Francis Edward Stuart. Britain secured the Asiento de Negros, a monopoly on the supply of African slaves to Spanish colonies, which became a lucrative source of income. The treaties marked the beginning of Britain's rise as a global superpower, with significant territorial gains and commercial advantages.

This medal was struck in Germany and marks the discontent felt in that country at the conclusion of the Peace.