Images(2)

Louis XIV: Battle off Beachy Head

Jan Smeltzing (active 1650–1693)

1690

Object PlaceThe Netherlands

Medium/TechniqueMetal; silver

DimensionsCoin or medal: 73 mm, 12h, 4 mm

Credit LineAnna Augusta Chapin Fund

Accession number1973.554

On View

Not on view

ClassificationsNumismatics

Collections

Europe

InscriptionsObverse: Inscribed at edge "INVICTISSIMVS LVDOVICVS MAGNVS. Reverse: Inscribed at edge "MATURATE FUGAM: ILLI IMPERIUM PELAGI" ("Speed your flight; to him belongs the empire of the sea"; Smeltzing invokes Virgil's Aenead I 141-42), on marine oar, and in exergue "PVGNA AD BEVES.ANG./BAT. Q.VNA FVG./D.X.IVL.1690" ("Action off Beachy Head England and Holland United, put to flight 10 July 1690").

ProvenanceBy 1973, Cyril Humphris, London; 1973, sold by Cyril Humphris to the MFA. (Accession date: November 14, 1973)