Lot 2313

1580 – Medal ‘Marnix van St. Aldegonde mediates in the appointment of the Duke of Anjou’ by C. Bloc ? (vL.285, PR.586) – Obv. Bust to the right with armor, cloak, and collar / Rev. Venus in swan-drawn car offers a crown to a horseman (Anjou) – silvered copper (galvano) 35 mm 20,30 gram – very rare. _x000D_ NB. In 1580, Marnix was part of an embassy to England that investigated the possibility of appointing Anjou as sovereign of the Netherlands, after which he would marry Elizabeth of England. Pinchard attributes this medal to Conrad Bloc. The British Museum holds cast examples in silver and copper (latten), purchased in 1872 and 1865 respectively; this example is a silvered galvanoplastic replica of the latter. The edge shows parts of the dividing line between the two halves and a small stamping ‘B.M.’.