1781 Battle of Doggersbank Medal. Betts-588, Van Loon Supp., 563. Silver. MS-62 PL (NGC). 30.2 mm. Dusted with pale silver-gray iridescence, this engaging piece allows ready appreciation of a highly reflective finish in the fields as the surfaces dip into a light. Sharply struck and free of singularly mentionable handling marks. The Battle of Doggersbank was a naval engagement fought in the North Sea on August 5, 1781, between the Dutch and English. It was part of the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War, another component of the same global war of which the American Revolution was a part. The Dutch, with 17 ships led by Admiral John Arnold Zoutman, battled to a draw with the English, whose 19 ships were led by Admiral Keith Stewart. While there was "no decisive result according to the English authorities," per the editors of Betts, the new Dutch navy saw their battle as a major victory against the most powerful navy in the world.As described by Betts, the obverse of this medal shows "two full rigged ships, Dutch and English, stern on, in action" with flags flying. In the style of late 18th century cartoons, the words HOEZEE! DE BRIT RUIMT ZEE or "Hurray! Britain abandons the sea" fly from the Dutch vessel over the British ship. The exergue indicates the date of the battle, while the reverse has a rhyme which translates to "Oh Batavians, God sustains your right; Zoutman, by his heroic valor, has restored the honor of the free flag, and overcome arrogance in battle." This populist sentiment recalls the previously noticed Admiral Zoutman, who commanded the Dutch vessels at the battle and became a Dutch hero on the order of Britains admirals Vernon and Rodney. An interesting and scarce type. Ex J. Schulman, September 1959. Collector envelope with attribution and provenance notes included.
