Philip II

Philip II, of Spain and King of England, the siege of St. Quentin, silver medal, 1557, by Jacques Jonghelinck, laureate armoured bust of Philip to right, wearing Badge of the Golden Fleece on ribbon, PHILIPPVS DG HISP ET ANGLIÆ REX, rev., legend in 16 lines, small head of St. Quentin in centre, ANNO MDLVII DEN X TAG AVG WARD DVRCH KVNIG PHILIP ZV HISPAN VND ENGELLAND …, 35.5mm (MI 84/47; vL I, 17, 2; Smolderen 226/13). An excellent example, good very fine, toned and rare.

The English government did not wish to be involved in the Spanish war against France, but Philip II had Mary authorize a small force, led by the Earl of Pembroke, which succeeded in capturing the town of St. Quentin in Picardy, Northern France.

Provenance: Elsen Auction, 12 March, 2005 (lot 2463).