NETHERLANDS: AR medal (30.23g), 1740, van Loon-148, 41mm, 300 Years of Typography silver medal by Swinderen, L. I. COSTERUS. CONS. HARL. TYP. INV. AD. AN. around bust of Laurens Janszoon Coster left // EX HIS TIBI / NECTE CORONAM, Typography personified by a female figure in flowing robes, upon whose head divine rays descend; in her right hand, suspended from a garland of laurel leaves, are seven ovals bearing the Arms of the officials of Haarlem at the period of the Jubilee, her left arm supports a shield bearing the Arms of the city of Haarlem half-hidden behind her figure, and from her hand escapes a scroll upon which are the vowels A. E. I. O. U. She treads underfoot a book upon which are the letters A. G. for "Alexandri Grammatica," said to be the first book printed by Gutenberg at Mayence (Mainz), with the types which he stole from his master, Coster; at lower right, N.V.S.F., being the initials of the engraver, and in the exergue the words: TYPOGR. HAERLEM. Ill IUBIL. 1740, richly toned with a variety of hues, About Unc. Laurens Janszoon Coster (Laurens Jansz Koster) is the purported inventor of a printing press from Haarlem. He allegedly invented printing simultaneously with Johannes Gutenberg and is regarded by some in the Netherlands as having invented printing first.
Estimate: $150-200