The Spanish Invasion defeated

The Spanish Invasion defeated, silver medal, 1596, by G. van Bijlaer, struck in Dordrecht, a hand from heaven holds a cord connecting the shields of arms of England, France and the United Provinces, RVMPITVR HAVD FACILE, rev., the name äÉåÈä radiates over a distressed and sinking Spanish fleet, QVID ME PERSEQVERIS I5 - 96, 51.5mm (MI 163/148; Eim. 67; vL I, 476; MH 481). Good very fine, some edge bruising.

The Spanish fleet had already been destroyed by Elizabeth at Cadiz, but it was rapidly re-built and had just sailed from Ferrol when it was almost completely destroyed in a great storm off Cape Finisterre.

Provenance: Spink Auction, 12 July, 2001 (lot177).