iosephus - Papal Medals

From 1672 to 1678, several European countries were at war during the Franco-Dutch War. Innocent XI, of anti-French sentiment, was an important impetus in the peace negotiations from 1676 to 1679. In 1678 and 1679, several peace treaties were signed at the Dutch city of Nijmegen between France, Holland, Spain, Sweden, and the Holy Roman Empire. Although Holland was a Protestant country, Innocent XI found himself supporting them against the invasions by Catholic France.

This gilt medal appears to be at the least an early strike, and quite possibly an original, though the gilding does not necessarily indicate an original strike. However, the die states do give clues to dating the strike. First, however, is the problem that there appear to be two obverse dies that were used, with the only easily discernable difference being the distance between the lower of the pope's extended fingers and the first "I" in the regnal year. Based on the few examples that I have images of, it seems that the dies were used indeterminately with three different reverse designs, one being this Lateran Basilica façade design. However, it appears that both dies suffered in later years from flaws such as craacks, pitting, and rust, and none of these are present on this example (this die noticeably developed a crack through the "L" and "E" in the pope's name). Turning to the reverse, several large die cracks formed on the bottom through the cartouche. The latest examples show three strong cracks, as well as significant rim cuds around the border. Other examples show only two cracks, evidently earlier in the progression of the failure of the die. Again, this example features none of those faults, featuring a pristine reverse die. The superior condition of the dies used in this strike, combined with the excellent strike quality and gilding, point unequivocally to an early, and very possibly original, striking.