103713 | UNITED STATES & NETHERLANDS. French & Indian War silver Medal.

103713  |  UNITED STATES & NETHERLANDS. Colonial America and Holland silver Medal. Issued 1764. The Treaty of Hubertusburg and the end of the Seven Years' War (French and Indian War in America) and the beginning of 1764 (44mm, 12h). By Martin Holtzhey.

 

MAGNAS INTER OPES INOPS (poor though among great riches, —adapted from Horace), a seminude and astonished Mercury facing, head left, as Peace approaches among the clouds from behind and grabs at his petasos (winged hat); in background to left, the boisterous winds of war blow away profits, with bills of exchange, or even currency itself, being scattered about; unloaded merchandise and bales of goods to right // NON CESSIT MALIS SED CONTRA AUDENTIOR IBIT (he did not yield to misfortunes, but will go more boldly against them), togate male figure standing facing slightly left, holding radiant caduceus and leaning upon altar to right; in background, marine view with rising sun and numerous ships under sail, one of which flies the banner of the city of Amsterdam, while another that of the city of Hamburg; in two lines in exergue, INITIO ANNI / MDCCLXIV.

 

Pax in Nummis 611; van Loon supp. pl. XXXIV, 370; Fieweger 828; Betts –; Strothotte 1764-1; Julius 2487. NGC MS-62. Highly lustrous and deeply toned, with intense areas of cobalt across both sides. An intriguing satirical issue that serves as a great companion to Oexlein's medal from the previous year (Betts 446 & 447). Despite this type not being listed in Betts, it celebrates the treaty that ended the conflict which, in the American Colonies, was known as the French & Indian War. Here, this medal alludes to the great losses suffered by the commerce of Amsterdam and Hamburg—negative effects of the war—and to the fact that the foresight, humanity, and prudence of the magistrates of both cities saved them from even greater disaster.

 

Sometimes referred to as 'World War Zero,' given its scale overall number of belligerent powers, the Seven Years' War began primarily with Austria's desire to recover Silesia from the Kingdom of Prussia. Since Great Britain had been aiming to increase her colonial possessions in the New World at the expense of France, the strife in the American theater began to merge with that in Europe, resulting in a legitimate global conflict, with every major European power taking the side of either Great Britain/Prussia or France/Austria. In addition to North America and Europe, skirmishes also played out in Central America, the western coast of Africa, India, and the Philippines. Ultimately, a peace was achieved through the Treaty of Paris, formally ending all conflicts save for the Silesian question; the Treaty of Hubertusburg, signed five days later, ended the issue between Prussia and Austria, formally ending the war.

 

Upload: 1 October 2026.