★ Rare ★

SPANISH NETHERLANDS - BELGIUM. 17th century. Jeton (Silver, 30 mm, 8.16 g, 11 h), Brussels, 1633. PERIT VNDA LABORQVE 1633 The three daughters of Danae filling a pierced tank in front of a well; above, on the perch of the well, an owl standing left. Rev. NVNCVICTA QVIESCO / 1633 A ship sailing in a harbor. Dugniolle 3881/3882 ( obverse/reverse ). Rare. Engraved and chased. Good very fine.

The fifty daughters of Danaus were set to marry their cousins, the fifty sons of their father's twin brother, Aegyptus. All but one murdered their bridegrooms on the wedding night, and thus were condemned to the futile task of pouring water into a perforated container, never being able to fill it. They represent the futility and frustration of performing a repetitive task that can never be completed.