{"product_id":"1680-france-louis-xiv-ae-damascened-medal-on-the-fortification-of-huningue","title":"1680 France Louis XIV AE Damascened Medal on the Fortification of Huningue","description":"\u003cp\u003e1680 France Louis XIV AE Damascened Medal on the Fortification of Huningue, by L. Hupiere and H. Roussel. Plain edge.\u003cbr\u003e\nLUDOVICUS MAGNUS REX CHRISTIANISSIMUS, laureate armored older bust right, H. ROUSSEL. F. below || MVNITIS AD RHENVM FINIBVS, personification of Huningue presenting plans of her fortifications to France, personification of Rhine resting on urn below, all above a band bearing fleurons and the date 1680, HVNINGA CONDITA HVPIERE F. below in exergue.\u003cbr\u003e\n67mm, 92.20g. Divo -, EL p 264,14. Jacquiot pl. LXXVIII, 3.\u003cbr\u003e\nIn uncirculated condition, with gilding intact. Area of scratches in front of the King’s portrait, otherwise an extremely pleasing example with lovely chocolate brown surfaces. An extremely rare type that has never been offered publicly as a damascened example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExpertly 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Fortification of Huningue was a major military engineering project undertaken in 1680 by Louis XIV aimed at strengthening France’s eastern frontier along the Rhine. The town was placed under French administration under the Peace of Westphalia. Following the conclusion of the Franco-Dutch War in 1679, Louis XIV sought to fortify the town, as its key position along the Rhine would grant the French army better control of troop movements along the Rhine as well as the ability to better defend a strategic crossing. The project was entrusted to the famed engineer Vauban, who built a pentagonal fortress with five bastions, numerous artillery positions, and defensive ditches. The fortress was inaugurated in 1680, personally inspected by the King in 1681, and served as a key fortress for more than a century before being dismantled in 1815 following France’s defeat in the Napoleonic Wars.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apex Numismatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51005384786106,"sku":null,"price":3750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0776\/8709\/5482\/files\/1680_Louis_XIV_Damascened_Gilt_Medal.jpg?v=1794240773","url":"https:\/\/apexnumismatics.com\/products\/1680-france-louis-xiv-ae-damascened-medal-on-the-fortification-of-huningue","provider":"Apex Numismatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}