Watch List notes:

European Medals from 1513 to 1788

Netherlands, The Dutch Republic. Medal (Silver, 52mm, 45.88 g 12), on the defeat of the Spanish Armada, by G. van Bylaer, 1588. (rose)xDVRVMxESTx CONTRAxSTIMVLOSxCALCITRARE (=it is hard to kick against goads) The Pope, emperor, king, princes, bishops and others, blindfolded, seated in conference, their feet on a spiked floor; above, O.COECAS.HOMINVM.MENTES./ O.PECTORA.COECA. (=Oh! the blind minds, Oh! the blind hearts of men). Rev. (rose)xTVxDEVSxMAGNVSx ETxMAGNAxFACISx TVxSOLVSxDEVSx (=You, God, art great and do great things; You God alone) Scene of the destruction of the Spanish fleet; above, .VENI.VIDE.VIVE./1588. (=come! see! live!). Eimer 56a. MI I, pp. 144-145, 111. Van Loon I, p. 384, i. A rare and historically important medal. Clear and very attractively toned. Fields above the types very lightly polished very long ago, traces of a removed mount at 12 on the reverse, otherwise, extremely fine.

The obverse of this medal satirizes the enemies of Queen Elizabeth by showing them both blindfolded and with their feet resting on spikes!