medal
- Museum number
- G3,FD.415
- Description
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Silver medal. (whole)
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Phaethon (Louis XIV), in the chariot of the Sun with his reins broken, averts his head from the zodiacal signs of Leo (Holland), Virgo (Anne), Libra (Justice), and Scorpio (Defeat). (obverse)
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Sun setting behind a mountain: the city of Mons in the distance. (reverse)
- Production date
- 1709
- Dimensions
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Diameter: 42.000 millimetres
- $Inscriptions
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- Curator's comments
- Medallic Illustrations 2, published in 1885, states:
Very rare.
The Sun, the emblem of Louis XIV, gives occasion to the taunts upon this medal. He is affrighted at the terrific signs of the zodiac, and is consequently only a fictitious orb. The reverse symbolizes the dark state of affairs at Mons by the declining Sun of Louis at Malplaquet, and the edge intimates that the "Grand Monarque" repented at having too eagerly attempted to place his family on the throne of Spain. In the conditions for peace offered by Louis to the Dutch at the beginning of this year, he agreed to give no further countenance to the claims of his grandson Philip to the crown of Spain.
See Van Loon, Gerard, ‘Histoire Métallique des XVII. Provinces des Pays-Bas’, 5 vol. La Haye, 1732-1837 (fol) [There is also an edition in Dutch, but with different paging], V. 145.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
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Exhibited:
2015 4 Jun-15 Nov, London, BM, Gallery 69a, Triumph and Disaster: Medals of the Sun King
- Associated events
- Commemoration of: Battle of Malplaquet, 1709
- Acquisition date
- 1825
- Department
- Coins and Medals
- Registration number
- G3,FD.415
- C&M catalogue number
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MB2 (Medallic Illustrations 2) (361) (200)
