Leo the Great 2nd pic

[lorstuff]

Here is the Reverse

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Revue belge de numismatique et de sigillographie, Volume 7 page 326.

 

 

 

LEOD is short for LEODIENSIS = Liege.

 

 

 

http://www.coinpeople.com/index.php/topic/29915-joseph-clemens-1714-liege-jeton-by-hercule-le-breton/?hl=joseph

 

1714

Diameter in mm : 28 mm S.R.I ARCHICAM = Sacri Romani Imperii Archicamerarius(Treasurer of the Holy Roman Empire)
Metal : Cuivre rouge
OBVERSE Legend : IOS. CLEM. ARCH. COL. S. R. I. ARCHICAM. ET. ELECT. DVX. BAU..
Description : Buste à droite de Joseph-Clémen archevêque de Cologne, signé H.B.
REVERSE Legend : SUBDITIS. CLEMENS. 1714.
Translation : Clément envers ses sujets(to his subjects)
Description : Lion assis à gauche(seated left)
Engraver : Hercule Le Breton
Reference: Feuardent 14582a(1744 sic), Appel. p.187. #6.

 

Joseph Clemens(Clements) von Wittelsbach ( 1671 - 1723), Archbishop-Elector of Cologne from 1688. He was also Prince-Bishop of Liège, and Bishop of Regensburg, of Freising and of Hildesheim.

In 1688 the Archiepiscopal See of Cologne was vacant, the King of France supported one candidate the Emperor wanted the 17 year old Clemens, as neither received the required number of votes the Pope made the selection & picked Clements. This so enraged Louis XIV that he seized the papal territory of Avignon & imprisoned the papal nuncio.

When the war of the Spanish succession began in 1701 Clemens tried to remain neutral but the Emperor forced him to pick a side, he chose France. The war started badly for Austria but the tide turned & by 1702 Clemens had to flee Bonn & seek refuge in France, he was to remain there till 1714. He returned first to Liege in 1714 but it was not till 25 February 1715 that he made his solemn entry into Bonn(after Dutch troops were finally evacuated from the city) and this is the medal that was made for that occasion. It was produced in gold , silver & copper. I love the meditating crowned lion.

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Thank you so much