Martin Holtzhey

Martin Holtzhey (1697, in Ulm – 1764, in Middelburg), was an 18th-century German medallist and mint master, active in the Dutch Republic.

When Holtzhey struck such "historical medals", he often included a paper explaining the symbolism he used on them, a tradition that was continued later by his son Johann Georg.

[2] His medals were popular with wealthy followers of the enlightenment, such as Pieter Teyler van der Hulst.

[4] In 1749 he handed his Amsterdam workshop over to his son Johann Georg when he moved to Harderwijk to become mint master of Gelderland.

In the year 1754 the new duits were coined with 'Luctor et Ementor', or "I struggle and go under", which would imply the lion is drowning rather than emerging from the floods.

Portrait of the medallist Martin Holtzhey, obverse. Silver, 1729. Holtzhey produced this medal to advertise his work and name.
Portrait of the medallist Martin Holtzhey, reverse. Silver, 1729. View of the skyline of Amsterdam with Holtzhey's coin press.
Allegorical depiction of Martinus Holtzhey as "muntmeester" of Gelderland, 1749
New year's medal, 1754
Commemorative medal for Martin Holtzhey. Silver, 1764. An angel is depicted carrying the portrait of Martin Holtzhey up to heaven. On the globe the three provinces in which Holthey has lived and worked are indicated (Holland, Gelderland, Zeeland). The three plants represent his three children. The inscription reads Tandem parta Quies : He has finally found peace.