Nicolaas Witsen (1641-1717)

Nicolaas Witsen (1641-1717), Dutch Extraordinary-Ambassador to England, Dutch silver medal, 1695, bust right with long hair right, N WITSEN CONS AMST AD REGEM ANGLIAE LEGATUS MDCXCV, rev., a battering ram having breached a city wall, 24 mm (MI 147/408; cf vL III, 438). Extremely fine, toned and very rare.

Witsen was a Dutch statesman, Burgomaster of Amsterdam thirteen times between 1682-1706. In 1693 he became administrator of the VOC. Whilst in England he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. He was a cartographer, specialist on shipbuilding and an an expert on Russian affairs.

Provenance: Bt. T. Millett, March, 2007.