France. Médaille en bronze "Louis XIV. Prise de 12 villes en Hollande 1672" (No reserve price)

French bronze medal of Louis XIV – Capture of twelve towns in Holland – “SOLIS QVE LABORES”

Bronze medal representing Louis XIV and commemorating the capture of twelve places in Holland in 1672.

Obverse: bust of Louis XIV facing to the right, wearing a long wig, armor and a drape. The circular inscription reads:
« LVD · MAG · FRA · ET · NAV · REX · P · P »
Signature « CHERON » is visible in small characters beneath the bust, at shoulder level.
On the reverse, a remarkable composition shows the Sun driving a chariot drawn by horses amid the clouds. In the center is the motto:
« SOLIS QVE LABORES »
The central scene is surrounded by twelve representations of fortified places, corresponding to the conquests commemorated by this medal.

This is a later restrike based on the historic model of 1672, and not an original 17th-century strike.

The edge is smooth and bears a punch as well as the inscription « BRONZE ».

Diameter: about 65 mm.
Weight: 117.4 g.
Metal: bronze.
Signature: CHERON.

The medal features fine reliefs, particularly pronounced and detailed. Patina with natural color variations and visible signs of use. The overall condition is to be carefully assessed in the photographs.

The photographs are an integral part of the description and show precisely the state of conservation, the patina, the reliefs, the inscriptions and the edge marking present on the edge