The Siege of Amsterdam

Sale: Triton X, Lot: 908. Estimate $500.  Closing Date: Monday, 8 January 2007.  Sold For $1000. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

LOW COUNTRIES, Amsterdam. AR 10 Stuivers Klippe (6.62 g). Siege coinage. Dated 1578. Crowned city coat of arms; X • • S flanking crown, 15 78 flanking arms; all within pearl border, briquet stamp above / Blank. Delmonte, Argent 192; Mailliet 4. VF, toned.

In the Dutch Eighty Years’ War (1568-1648), Amsterdam initially refused to join Holland, Zeeland, and the southern provinces, which wanted to push the Spanish from Dutch territory. In late 1577, the rebel Dutch forces blockaded the city. The blockade ended in February of 1578, when Amsterdam grudgingly agreed to join the rebellion against Spain. Soon after, the Catholic town council was replaced by Protestant members loyal to William, Prince of Orange, thus positioning Amsterdam as a participant in the Dutch struggle for independence. During the blockade, the city struck several denominations of silver siege coinage.