Defeat of the Spanish Armada silver jeton, 1589
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1589
This silver jeton commemorates the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. Struck in 1589 in Dordrecht, Holland, by Protestant Dutch allies of Elizabeth I, it serves as a historical token of the victory.
The obverse depicts Queen Elizabeth I seated to the left in a car, holding a palm branch and an open prayer book, encircled by the Latin legend TANDEM BONA CAVSA TRIVMPHAT. The reverse features a symbolic scene of a tree containing a nest of fledglings fighting off a bird of prey, accompanied by the inscription SI NON VIRIBVS AT CAVSA POTIORES and the letters BELLV NECESS. Measuring 29mm in diameter and weighing 5.79 grams, the piece is unsigned.
It represents a significant example of 16th-century medallic art produced during a pivotal period of European conflict, emphasizing the ideological and military support provided by the Dutch during the war against Spain. The jeton is documented in historical numismatic references including MI I, 153/128, van Loon I, 388, and E 63.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Weight
- 5.79g
- Diameter
- 29mm
- Material
- silver
Design
- Obverse
- Elizabeth I seated left in car, holding palm branch and open prayer book
- Reverse
- Tree with fledglings in nest fighting off bird of prey
- Inscriptions
- TANDEM BONA CAVSA TRIVMPHAT; SI NON VIRIBVS AT CAVSA POTIORES; BELLV NECESS
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.