The destruction of the Spanish Fleet by the Dutch off Dover [the Battle of the Downs]

The destruction of the Spanish Fleet by the Dutch off Dover [the Battle of the Downs], silver medal, 1639, by Johannes Loof [Middleburg], a naval action at close quarters with, to the fore, the crew escaping a sinking ship, rev., within a wreath of vines with grapes, legend in fourteen lines, "Æternitati S Ob Hisp classe … illustr Pr Hen Fred ausp a Martino Trompio Hollandiæ….", 62.5mm (MI 285/96; Eim. 135; vL II, 245,2; MH 535). Extremely fine and very rare.

The Spanish fleet, carrying troops to the Spanish Netherlands, had requested shelter from the English, but were attacked by the Dutch before it could be granted and who violated English neutrality.

Provenance: Bonham's, 14 July, 2004 (lot 583).