Betts-589
1781 Battle of Doggersbank Medal
Obverse Text: INJVRIIS COACTA | IN VADO ASELL • V AVG • | MDCCLXXXI | I • G • HOLTZHEY FEC •
Reverse Text: IMMORTALIBUS BATAVVM GLORIÆ VINDICIBUS | SALOMON | DEDEL | WILLEM | VAN BRAAM | I • H • VAN | KINSBERGEN | EQVES | IOH • ARN • | ZOUTMAN | W • J • BARON | BENTINCK | ADRIAN | BRAAK | EV • CHR • | STARINGH
Catalog Reference
A.J.N., XXIII
V.L. Sup. 562
This commemorative medal is one of several struck for a Dutch audience commemorating the Dutch Navy's holding off the greater British Navy at the Doggers Bank, a shallow area in the North Sea between the two countries. Struck by Holtzhey, this medal is filled with symbolism, the obverse shows the logos of the Dutch West India Company and Dutch East India Company on either side of a free-hat emblazoned altar at left, while Leo Belgicus clings to a bundle of arrows and frolics atop captured naval goods at right. Betts identifies the standing figure as an allegory for Holland. The reverse design includes the names of the seven admirals at Doggersbank with Zoutman at center.
