This cast iron commemorative medal was created in honor of Jan Carel Josephus van Speyk. Van Speyk became a national symbol in the Netherlands after, during the Belgian Revolution, he blew up his gunboat on 5 February 1831 rather than allow it to fall into Belgian hands. His name later became associated with the phrase: “Rather blown into the air than surrender.” Obverse: Depicts a goddess holding a downward-pointing torch and leaning against a column. To the left, the shielded arms of Belgium rest against the column. DE ONSTERFELYKHEID IS ZYN DEEL (Immortality is his reward/His share is immortality) Reverse: Seven-line inscription enclosed within a wreath of laurel and flowers: JAN / CAREL JOSEPHUS / VAN SPEYK / HANDHAVER / DER HOLLANDSCHE VLAG / 5 FEBRUARY / MDCCCXXXI (Jan Carel Josephus van Speyk Defender of the Dutch Flag 5 February 1831)  *Van Speyk in the powder magazine of Gunboat No. 2*