Watch List notes:

MODERN COINS
A SPECIAL COLLECTION OF DUTCH AND DUTCH RELATED MEDALS

The Dutch Republic. Amsterdam. Plaquettenpenning, or Hollow medal (Silver, 83mm, 103.90 g 12), on the granting of arms to Amsterdam by William V, Count of Holland, in 1342, and the granting of a crown for those arms by the Emperor Maximilian in 1488, by Pieter van Abeele, Amsterdam, c. 1650-1654. COM.WILH.HOC INSIGNE / AMSTEL ODAMO DONO / 13 DEDIT 42 Count William, enthroned on the left, presenting the arms of Amsterdam to a group of citizens standing on the right; below the Count, on the dais, P.V.ABEELE.F.; all within an oak wreath border. Rev. CAES.MAX.CORONAM. IMP: / DONAVIT AMSTELO / 14 DAMO 88 Maximilian, standing on the right, presenting a crown for the Amsterdam arms to a group of citizens standing on the left; all within an oak wreath border. Frederiks 28/28a. Van Loon I, p. 250. A very attractive and well- made example. Usual blow hole on the edge. Extremely fine.

During the mid 17th century a number of Dutch silversmith/medalists, of whom Abeele was one, specialized in the making of medals that were hollow. They were formed by two embossed one-sided silver plates, joined together with an edge ring (which was pierced to avoid the medal exploding when it was heated to solder it together), and with the intervening space often filled with a material intended as a stiffener. This allowed these Dutch artists to produce medals of high relief and great beauty.