2017-06-13 Tue

A 1676 bronze medal celebrating the French victory of retaking the Isle of Cayenne in French Guiana was sold for $150 at Stephen Album Rare Coins auction that was held between 18th and 20th May. It features French King Louis XIV on the obverse.

The island was colonised by the French in 1664. In 1675, the Dutch started attacking and forcibly asked the French garrison of Fort Sanit Michel to surrender in May 1676. Louis XIV sent a French fleet to fight against the Dutch. They arrived at Cayenne in early December. On 19th December, after the French troops attacked with all their might, the Dutch garrison surrendered to the French. The reverse of the 30.34 grams bronze medal in Very Fine condition depicts Neptune, holding flag and trident, carried by his horses.