102030 | NETHERLANDS. Death of J. S. Swaan bronze Medal.

102030  |  NETHERLANDS. Death of J. S. Swaan bronze Medal. Issued 1834. Commemorating the death of the theology student (34mm, 22.09 g, 12h).

 

Skull left, set upon bone and placed within palm frond curling to the right / J. S. SWAAN. / TH: CAND: GEBn / 16 JUNY 1812 OVERL: / 11 MAART 1834 in four lines. Edge: Plain.

 

Dirks 492; van Gelder 3479. Mint State details. Deep chocolate brown surfaces, with some alluring brilliance in the fields; some minor staining and corrosion on the obverse accounts for the designation. A very rare commemorative issue.

 

This interesting piece appears to have been commissioned by friends and family of the departed—in this case, a fairly young theology student who passed away just three months shy of his 22nd birthday. A poignant death commemorative by which to honor the deceased.