Maria Louise, prinses van Oranje-Nassau, penning geslagen op last van de stad Sneek 1759

This silver medal depicting Maria Louise was commissioned by the city of Sneek in the Netherlands, likely in the mid-18th century, and made by Nicolaas van Swinderen. Medals like this one were typically issued to commemorate important events or figures. Looking at the imagery, we can see the values that the city wanted to promote. The portrait on one side presents Maria Louise as a noble figure. The reverse shows a classical figure alongside the city's coat of arms, evoking a sense of historical continuity and civic pride. The Latin inscription, "Sigillum Vrbis Snecanae," reinforces the medal’s status as an official symbol of Sneek. Historical archives can tell us more about the specific reasons for issuing this medal. It's through understanding the institutions and social conditions that shaped its creation that we can truly appreciate its significance.