James II, 1633-1701, King of England 1685-1688 [obverse] 1685

This silver medal depicting James II was made by Regnier Arondeaux, likely during his reign from 1685 to 1688. The portrait is skillfully rendered in high relief, achieved through a process of die-striking, where a design is engraved into a hardened metal die, then pressed onto a metal blank. The choice of silver is significant, as it has long been associated with wealth and power. More than that, it is a durable and precious material, meant to last and to be passed on. The act of striking a medal is itself a powerful gesture. It suggests a centralized authority capable of controlling imagery and its dissemination. Consider the labor involved in the medal’s production: from mining the silver, to refining it, to the skilled hand of the die engraver. It is a testament to the complex relationships between artistry, production, and the assertion of royal power. This is not just a portrait; it's a statement, pressed into metal.