Netherlands Large Medal 1672 Holland Murder of Johan & Cornelis de Witt - PCGS MS63

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Netherlands – Holland – Murder of Johan & Cornelis de Witt, 1672 – White Metal – PCGS MS63

Recent market attention for this type has been exceptional. In May 2026, a gold striking of the same historic De Witt design, formerly from important old collections, realised €130,000 hammer at Heritage Auctions Europe, with the reported total price reaching almost €160,000. While the present example is in white metal rather than gold, the result underlines the great historical and numismatic importance of this design and the strong collector demand for high-quality De Witt medals. Certified PCGS MS63, this piece offers collectors the opportunity to acquire the same powerful 1672 composition in a highly attractive and much more accessible form.

Obverse:
Facing busts of the brothers Cornelis de Witt and Johan de Witt, both in rich 17th-century dress. Legend around naming the brothers with their birth years: “CORNELIUS DE WITT NAT. A. 1623” and “JOHANNES DE WITT NAT. A. 1625.” Below the portraits the mottos: “HIC ARMIS MAXIMUS” and “ILLE TOGA MAXIMUS”, referring to Cornelis as eminent in arms and Johan as eminent in civil government.

Reverse:
Allegorical depiction of the brutal murder of the De Witt brothers during the Disaster Year of 1672. The brothers are shown attacked by hounds, symbolising the savage violence of the mob. The scene is surrounded by a finely engraved laurel wreath with inscriptions. Below: “NOBILE PAR FRATRUM SAEVUS FUROR ORE TRUCIDAT XX AUGUSTI”, referring to the killing of the noble pair of brothers on 20 August 1672.

Historical Context:
This powerful historical medal commemorates one of the most infamous political murders in Dutch history: the lynching of Johan de Witt, former Grand Pensionary of Holland, and his brother Cornelis de Witt in The Hague on 20 August 1672. The event took place during the Rampjaar, when the Dutch Republic was under severe military and political pressure. The medal presents the brothers as victims of political violence and as figures of civic and military virtue.

References:
Van Loon III, 87/1 — as stated on the PCGS holder.

Material: White metal
Date: 1672
Region: Holland / Dutch Republic
Certification: PCGS MS63
PCGS certificate number: 51290616
Diameter: +- 70mm

Condition:
Certified PCGS MS63, an exceptional grade for this historically important 17th-century medal. Sharply struck/cast with very fine detail and attractive grey toning. Any visible scratches are on the slab, not on the medal itself.

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