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Historical Background
Low Countries. Medal. 1628. Admiral Piet Heyn. (Van Loon-II, p. 172, 1). (Betts-26). (TMNK-00430). Anv.: PET : PETRI . HEINIVS . FOED : BELG : ORD : ARCHITHALASS Bare-head bust of Piet Heyn three-quarter facing to right, wearing high ruff, cuirass and necklace of chains. Rev.: HEINIAD NVP[ER] SENSIT SPOLIATA MATANCA View of the victory, by Dutch fleet under Heyn, over the Spanish Treasure Fleet at Matanzas Bay in Cuba. . 89,53 g. 59 mm. Very rare. Struck late in the 17th century from dies by Johannes (Jan) Smeltzing (1656-1693), this medal commemorates one of the great Dutch naval victories against Spain: not only was it almost bloodless, it also provided the Dutch with over 11 million guilders in booty. That was enough to finance the entire Dutch army for some 8 months, which helped to enable the Dutch capture of the great fortress of s'Hertogenbosch by Frederick Henry of Orange in 1629. Heyn's ability as an admiral was so remarkable that he was able to take the treasure fleet without, apparently, a single Dutch casualty; very few Spanish were killed as well. Even more amazingly, after the Spanish ships surrendered Heyn arranged that their crews were given enough supplies to allow them to march back to Havana. Choice VF. Est...550,00.
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