William II of Orange (1625-1650)

William II of Orange (1625-1650), Death; and his widow, Princess Mary, cast gilt-pewter medal, by Pieter van Abeele, 1650, bust of William three-quarters right wearing Garter George over armour, WILHELMVS II DG PRINC AVRAICÆ COM NASS EC, rev., bust of Mary left, with pearl necklace and earring and others in her hair, MARIA DG PRINCEPS M BRIT AVRANT DOTARIA ETC, 64.5mm (MI 393/17; Scher [1997] 17; vL II, 340). Probably contemporary or nearly so, very fine.

William died of smallpox in 1650, eight days before his son William, the future William III, was born. William III, was elected to his father's office of Stadtholder in 1672, aged 22. He married Princess Mary, daughter of James II and Anne Hyde.

Provenance: Baldwin Auction, 4 May, 2005 (lot 1421).