LOW COUNTRIES. Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden (Dutch Republic). 1581-1795. Medal 1653 (Silver, 67 mm, 121.47 g, 12 h), on the death of Admiral Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp on 10 August 1653. By Jurriaen Pool, Amsterdam. MARTEN•HARPERTƧEN•TROMP•RIDDER• Bare-headed and draped half-length bust of Tromp facing slightly to right, wearing collar; below his right arm truncation, •I•POOL. Rev. LIEVTENANT • ADMIRAAL • VAN • HOLLAND • VOOR • HET • VAADERLAND • GESNEVVELT • DEN • 10 • AVGVSTI • ANNO 1653 •: Scene of the naval Battle of Scheveningen: Dutch warship firing on English warships; in the front, sinking English vessel. Eimer 187. Van Loon II, p. 376. Very rare. A wonderful example, lustrous, beautifully toned and sharply struck. Tiny edge marks, otherwise, good extremely fine.



The Dutch naval hero Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp spent most of his life serving as a naval officer. Beloved by his crews, he earned the nickname 'Bestevaêr' ('grandfather'), winning in reportedly no less than thirty-three naval battles. On 10 August 1653, Tromp was shot dead by an English sniper in the Battle of Scheveningen, a clash that resulted in a Dutch tactical loss, but in a strategic victory, as it forced the English to lift their blockade of the Low Countries.

Tromp's death was a huge blow to Dutch moral. The loss of their greatest naval commander was widely bemoaned and commemorated with fine medals such as our piece. It is worth noting that the naval action depicted on the reverse was clearly copied by the medalist from Jan Abrahamsz Beerstraaten's painting 'The Battle of Scheveningen, 10 August 1653'.