Johan Maurits of Nassau 250 years deceased (Vereniging voor Penningkunst 1929, second medal)

Johan Maurits of Nassau-Siegen (1604-1679), nicknamed 'Maurits the Brazilian', had died 350 years ago. Van den Hoef designed his coat of arms surmounted by a crown, with the cross of the Order of Saint John, to which he belonged, as a background. The cross has sharp points, which creates an explosive effect. At the bottom of the shield, the badge of the Danish Order of the Elephant can be seen; there is thus no lack of decorations. 'Qua patet orbis' is written against the edge. As far as the world extends. The monogram GWC stands for the Geoctroyeerde Westindische Compagnie (Chartered West India Company); for that enterprise, Johan Maurits was governor of the possessions in South America between 1636 and 1644, with its seat in Pernambuco in Brazil. Hence his nickname; his residence in The Hague, designed by Jacob van Campen, is now the Mauritshuis. The monogram of the Association is handsomely arranged between the legs of the W. The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, holds this object as NG-C-2017-11-1; its record gives material recorded as bronze (metal); technique striking (metalworking); measurements diameter 6 cm x weight 78 g. Description translated from the museum's Dutch catalogue text; details are those of this museum object, and how far it represents a wider type has not been independently verified.