Digital museum showcasing the collection of worldwide legends over the years! 千古不朽博物館展示多年來收藏的世界傳奇故事!
Republic of the Seven United Netherland
Rejection of peace negotiations by the States General
Token
尼德蘭七省聯合共和國
拒絕總督的和平談判
代幣
Item number: A1176
Year: AD 1591
Material: Silver
Size: 29.5 x 29.4 x 0.7 mm
Weight: 6.2 g
Manufactured by: Dordrecht, South Holland
Provenance: Jeans Elsen & ses Fils 2024
This is a token issued by the United Provinces of the Netherlands, intended to symbolise their determination to resist Spain. On the obverse, at the centre, a woman is depicted resting within a garden enclosure, holding a shield bearing a lion, which represents the Netherlands. Opposite her is a Spanish envoy holding an olive branch. While negotiations are ongoing, in the background, Spanish forces bearing the flag of the Spanish Netherlands are gathered, ready to attack. The Latin inscription around the edge, “PAX PATET INSIDIIS,” translates to “Peace is vulnerable to treachery.” Below is the date of issuance. On the reverse, the woman in the garden and soldiers are shown repelling the attacking enemies, symbolising the success of the Dutch in the Eighty Years’ War. The Latin inscription around the edge, “TVTA SALVS BELLO,” translates to “Safety through war.”
The Eighty Years’ War was a series of armed conflicts in which the provinces of the Spanish Netherlands rebelled against Habsburg Spain. The causes of the war included both economic and religious factors, such as excessive taxation and the enforcement of the Inquisition, which sparked resistance in the Netherlands, a region where Protestantism was gaining ground and capitalism was emerging. In AD 1581, the signing of the Act of Abjuration formally declared the provinces’ refusal to recognise the authority of the Spanish king. However, the uncertainty surrounding the transfer of sovereignty led to the Netherlands becoming a republic after independence, rather than a kingdom.