DEATH OF WILLIAM II, PRINCE OF ORANGE

DADLER, Sebastian: Netherlands, 1650, Silver, 69 mm
Obv:  Unmounted horse in front of view of Amsterdam. On saddle of horse, an open book with the inscription UNIO RELIGIO [unionem religionemque]. (They Provide Religious Unity). Below book on saddle is inscribed SIMULANT. (They Pretend a Thing Is So). Around: CRIMINE AB UNO DISCE OMNEIS. MDCL. XXX IULII. (From One Crime They May Learn All, July 30, 1650).
Exergue:  QUIA BELLA VETABAT. (Because He Had Forbidden Wars).
Rev:  Phaethon falling from the Chariot of the Sun into a river after being hit by Zeus’ lightning bolt; below, a view of the funeral procession at the Hague MAGNIS EXCIDIT AUSIS. MDCL. VI NOVEMBRIS. (He Had to Take Leave of a Grand Enterprise on November 6, 1650).
Signed:  SD
Ref:  Wiecek 133; Welzl 9242; Van Loon II 341; Europese Penningen # 1079

William II, Prince of Orange (1626-1650), was born at The Hague, the son of Frederick Henry, prince of Orange, and grandson of William the Silent. He was stadtholder of several Dutch provinces. In 1641, at the age of 14, he married Mary, eldest daughter of king Charles I of England. William's dynastic ambitions were thwarted by his early death of small pox on November 6, 1650. He was succeeded by his son, the future William III, king of England. This William III married Mary, eldest daughter of James, duke of York, the brother of Charles II. James II, when he was king, fled to France thereby abdicating the throne, which was then conferred jointly on William and Mary in 1689.
Phaethon (Phaeton), in Greek mythology, was the son of Helios the sun god and the nymph Clymene. He persuaded his father to let him drive the chariot of the sun across the sky, but he lost control of the horses and, driving too near the earth, scorched it. To save the world from utter destruction, Zeus killed Phaethon with a thunderbolt and he fell to earth. The fall indicates the transitoriness of human life.
The medal commemorates the death of William II, Prince of Orange. The obverse is thought to reflect a failed attempt by William II to conquer Amsterdam. The reverse is to reflect his death.

LINK to painting Fall of Phaeton by Peter Paul Rubens (from National Gallery of Art)

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