Sluiting van het Twaalfjarig Bestand tussen de Republiek en Spanje 1609

This coin commemorates the Twelve Years' Truce between the Dutch Republic and Spain. It presents two potent symbols: a turtle and a heraldic shield. The turtle, encircled by the inscription 'TANDEM PATIENTIA VICTRIX,' meaning 'Patience Conquers,' embodies perseverance and resilience. The turtle, a symbol of steadfastness, is reminiscent of the Roman tortoise formation, where soldiers formed a protective shell. But here, it also evokes a deeper, almost subconscious connection to our own need for protection and survival, reflecting anxieties during times of conflict. The heraldic shield, emblazoned with a lion emerging from water, represents the Dutch Republic’s struggle for independence. The lion, a symbol of courage and nobility, rising from the water signifies their emergence as a sovereign nation. Notice that the turtle’s slow, steady progress is juxtaposed with the lion’s assertive strength. These symbols have surfaced time and again through history, evolving in meaning yet still echoing the primal human emotions of fear, hope, and the enduring quest for peace and autonomy.