MEDAL

Post medieval brass circular medal with a design on both sides, and later piercing at 12 o'clock. The medal is 59.3mm in diameter by 4.0mm thick and weighs 65g; the piercing is 4.6mm in diameter. On one side are two standing male figures in Roman military dress including horse tail plumed helmets, facing three quarters towards each other with a three legged altar between; below is a spread eagle and in the background are countryside scenes, probably showing ploughing and harvest. The legend reads DUBUS PRÆLATA TROPHÆTS.

On the other side is a female figure in 17th century dress, standing facing, with her right arm curled around a spear or standard. She is between two altars, one decorated with branches and topped by flame, and the other decorated with swords and topped with a snuffer or cover-fire with her left hand on the snuffer. In the background are ships at sea. The legend reads CONSERVAT UTRAMQUE; on the bases of the altars is written ANNO 1684 (one word on each) and below the exergue is INDUCTIS XX AN PACTIS.

Philip Attwood, Curator of Medals at the British Museum, examined a photograph of the medal and said: "This is a Dutch medal commemorating the Treaty of Ratisbon of 1684, which agreed a 20-year truce between France and her enemies. The two figures on one side are France and Spain, who exchange an olive branch for the sword, with the legend 'Preferred to uncertain victories'. On the other side is Amsterdam between two altars representing Religion and Commerce, and the words 'She conserves both'. Suspension holes appear often to have been later additions, made so that the medal could be worn or attached to an object, and this one is so intrusive that this must be the case here. It's difficult to tell from the image but it looks as though this may be a cast copy, whereas the medal was originally struck. Even if this is the case, it still looks as if it belongs to not long after the event commemorated."

Worn patches and lack of detailing in some areas of the medal may suggest it was cast. It was cleaned only slightly by the finder and the lack of patina suggests it was a relatively recent loss.