Medal

Information on identical medal in British Museum collection (M.7014), taken from the British Library website (20.09.2017): This silver medal was struck in Holland in 1605 to commemorate the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot in England and the expulsion of the Jesuits (a Catholic ministry) from Holland. The obverse or front face depicts a snake among lilies and roses, symbolising Jesuit intrigue and deception. The inscription reads ‘DETECTVS. QVI. LATVIT. S.C.’ (He, who concealed himself, is detected. By order of the Senate.) The reverse bears the tetragrammaton (the name of God in Hebrew) in a circle of thorns, with the inscription ‘NON DORMITASTI ANTISTES IACOBI’ (You (i.e. God), the keeper of James, have not slept), a paraphrase of Psalm 121. See Medallic Illustrations 1, published in 1885, states: Not uncommon. This was struck in Holland by order of the Senate, to commemorate the discovery of the Gunpowder Plot; and the expulsion from Holland of the Jesuits, whose latent intrigues in France and England are intimated by the snake amongst the lilies and roses. The legend of the reverse is taken from the 121st Psalm, "He that keepeth thee will not sleep."