Netherlands / USA Silver Medal Recognition of American independence — Landdag medal - by van Calker EF- (Pierced for suspension)

Netherlands, Friesland. Recognition of American independence — Landdag medal, dated 1782. Design by Barend Christiaan van Calker.

Obverse: A man personifying Friesland, wearing traditional dress, shakes hands with America, represented as a woman wearing a feathered headdress. A broken sceptre and chains lie at her feet. At the right, Great Britain offers a peace branch, which Friesland rejects. Above, a winged figure brings the cap of Liberty.

Signed in the exergue: B. C. V. CALKER F.

Reverse: An arm emerging from clouds holds the crowned arms of Friesland above the inscription:

AAN DE STAATEN VAN FRIESLAND
TER DANKBAARE NAGEDACHTENISSE
VAN DE LANDSDAGEN IN FEBR. EN APR.
MDCCLXXXII
TOEGEWYD
DOOR DE BURGER SOCIETEIT
DOOR VRYHEID EN YVER
TE LEEUWARDEN

Commissioned by the civic society “Door Vrijheid en IJver” of Leeuwarden in gratitude for the resolutions of the States of Friesland during their assemblies of February and April 1782. These concerned the recognition of the United States, the reception of John Adams as its envoy, and opposition to a separate peace with Great Britain.

The medal links Frisian political history with the international recognition of American independence and is catalogued in the Betts series of medals relating to American history.

References: Vervolg Van Loon 572; Betts 602; KPK 3395; Pax in Nummis 962.

A corresponding example is preserved in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, inventory NG-VG-1-2845.

Pierced for suspension

Weight: 30 g.
Diameter: 42 mm.

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