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The Netherlands, Assassination of William of Orange 1584, Dugniolle 2995
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William of Orange (1533-1584), Governor of the Netherlands
AE - Bronze, 5.24g, 30.28mm, 180°
Dordrecht, 1584
Obv.: x O.DIRVM.SCELTVS.NON.MANEBIT.INVLTVM
William of Orange with cloak, far right, is greeted by Balthasar Gerards, who
lifts his hat in greeting, and then shot him with a pistol; left behind him Philip II with
crown and sceptre, who incites him to do it. William of Orange was the first head of state to be killed with a firearm.
in ex. 1584
Rev.: *PASTOREM.OCCIDIT.NE.VOS.CREDITE.LVPO
in ex.CONFIDITE
Shepherd (William of Orange) with shepherd's crook surrounded by his
sheep is bitten in the throat by wolf (Philipp II)
Ref: Dugniolle 2995; vL. I 3; Tas. 208
Translation of the legends:
Obv. "O horrible villain! It will not go unpunished"
Rev: "He killed the shepherd, so do not trust the wolf". "Have faith"
An historically important medal: William of Orange (1533-1584), Dutch statesman and general from Dillenburg/Germany, changed from a supporter of the Catholic Philip II to the leader of the Protestant Dutch. His successes in the Dutch Revolt led to the independence of the northern provinces of the Netherlands, which earned him the title "Father of the Fatherland". Murdered in 1884 by Balthasar Gerard, a subject of Philip II and fanatical Catholic.
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