Lot 4078
Great Britain. Commemorative Medal, 1691. Eimer 332, Medallic Illustrations Vol 1 4/158. This large silver (59mm diam) medal celebrates the return of William III to his native Holland. Obverse, armoured, draped bust of king right. Possibly the finest numismatic portrait of the king. Reverse, the King is represented as the Sun, which revives and refreshes the failing spirits of the Dutch people after the king's return. A rare medal with a catalogue value of £3,200 in XF (apprx $5,300) with no price given for higher grades. NGC graded In jumbo holder, MS-61.
* William of Orange was married to Mary, the daughter of the increasingly unpopular James II of England. In 1688 William received (from Danby, Compton and five important members of the British nobility) a secret invitation to travel to England with sufficient force to oust King James. With incredible energy and ability William collected an army of Germans, Dutch, Swedes, Swiss and French Huguenots. He persuaded the Dutch republic to support him, and landed an army of around 15,000 soldiers at Torbay - the largest and most disciplined force to invade England. James' army was larger but its morale was patchy, and some of its best commanders deserted.
By Christmas, James and his infant son had fled to France, and William and Mary were provisionally in charge of government, and were declared King and Queen in May 1689.
Ruling Britain from London became William II's priority, but by late January 1691 he felt secure enough to return to his country of origin for an eagerly anticipated visit -celebrated by this intricate medal.
Estimated Value $2,500 - 3,000.
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