Great Britain Defeat of the Spanish Armada 1589 silver jeton
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1589
This 1589 silver jeton commemorates the defeat of the Spanish Armada. The obverse depicts Queen Elizabeth I seated in a car, holding a palm branch and an open prayer book, accompanied by the inscription 'TANDEM BONA CAVSA TRIVMPHAT'.
The reverse shows a tree containing a nest of fledglings fighting off a bird of prey, with the surrounding inscription 'SI NON VIRIBVS AT CAVSA POTIORES'. According to the listing, the piece was struck in Dordrecht, Holland, by Dutch allies of Elizabeth I during the conflict with Spain. The jeton measures 29mm in diameter and weighs 5.79g. It serves as a historical numismatic artifact representing the political and religious sentiment following the English victory over the Spanish fleet.
The construction is a metallic struck token, typical of the late sixteenth century, demonstrating fine engraving work on both faces, capturing allegorical imagery that emphasizes the righteousness of the English cause in the war.
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, legend: TANDEM BONA CAVSA TRIVMPHAT
- Reverse
- Tree with fledglings in nest fighting off bird of prey, legend: SI NON VIRIBVS AT CAVSA POTIORES
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.