European Medals from 1513 to 1788
Netherlands, Middelburg. Daalder (Silver, 34x34mm, 29.37 g), uniface emergency money for use during the siege by the Dutch, 1572-1574, 1572. / D.R.P. / F-MIDD / .1.5.7.2 ( Deo Regique Populus Fidelis MIDDelburgensis = the People of Middelburg, faithful to God and King ) within an incuse circle bordered by dots; to left and right, shields of Zeeland and Middelburg. Rev. Blank. Delm. 165. Mailiet pl. 83, 2. Van Gelder 36a. Van Loon I, pp. 156-157. Rare, a boldly struck and nicely toned example. Minor flan crack and, on the reverse, numeral 2 written twice in ink, otherwise , good very fine. From the collection of Archer Huntington (1001.57.5927).
Middelburg, on the former island of Walcheren, was one of the few cities in Zeeland that was retained by the Spanish after the early victories of the Dutch rebels under William of Orange. After a few attempts at taking the city by assault early in 1572 a full siege began on 4 November. The commander of the Spanish forces in the Netherlands, the Duke of Alba, sent in Cristóbal de Mondragón to lead the defenders. He managed to inspire his troops to hold out until an honorable surrender came about on 23 February 1574. This piece was struck fairly early in the siege and was made from silver belonging to the city and to the church.