Verheffing van Willem III tot stadhouder 1672 - 1676

This medal, commemorating the elevation of Willem III to Stadtholder, was crafted in the Dutch Republic by Christoffel Adolphi, sometime between 1631 and 1684. It’s made of silver, a precious material valued both for its intrinsic worth and its malleability. The process of minting such a medal was highly specialized. First, a design would be engraved into steel dies. These dies, acting as stamps, were then used to impress the image onto a precisely weighed blank of silver. Look closely, and you’ll see the crisp detail achieved by this method. The portrait of Willem III, and the allegorical figure of the Dutch Maiden, stand out in high relief. Beyond its artistic merit, this medal embodies power. Silver, as a form of currency, speaks to economic strength. The very act of minting, under royal or state authority, asserts control. It’s a small object, yet heavy with meaning, bridging the worlds of artistry, industry, and political life.