1650 France Louis XIV AE Damascened Medal on the Victory at the Battle of Rethel

1650 France Louis XIV AE Damascened Medal on the Victory at the Battle of Rethel, by M. Molart and J. Roettier. Plain edge.
LUDOVICUS XIIII REX CHRISTIANISSIMUS, laureate young bust right, draped and armored, signature R below || VICTORIA RETELLENSIS, winged Victory holding javelin and shield inscribed DE HISPAN, trampling Discord at her feet, holding a smoking torch.
69.5mm, 134.18g. Divo -.
In uncirculated condition, with gilding intact. A few scattered marks on reverse, otherwise a choice example with gorgeous brown toning. An extremely rare type that has never been offered publicly as a damascened example.

Expertly damascened, a famed technique popular in the Baroque era, particularly in France. The raised surfaces have been carefully gilded in gold, creating a striking and beautiful bicolor appearance. These medals are extremely rare and were used as presentation pieces in the French Court.

The battle of Rethel was a key victory for the Royalist forces during the civil wars against a young Louis, known as the Fronde. During this conflict, Marshal Turenne, one of France’s leading generals, joined forces with rebellious factions in the nobility and the Kingdom of Spain and occupied several strategic positions in northeastern France, including Rethel. In December 1650, the royalist force led by the Duke of Plessis-Praslin successfully recaptured the town, relieving the heavy pressure bearing down on the King’s army. The Fronde eventually ended two years later in 1652, marked by King Louis XIV’s return to Paris.