Vijftigjarig bestaan van de Banque de Paris et des Pays-Bas 1922 1922

This bronze medal was designed by Henri Nocq to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Banque de Paris et des Pays-Bas in 1922. It presents us with an opportunity to consider the symbolic language of power in the modern era. On one side, a classically draped female figure overlooks the Parisian landscape, her gaze perhaps directed toward future prospects. The inclusion of such a figure, along with an overflowing cornucopia, speaks to the idealized virtues the bank wished to project: prosperity, stability, and tradition. On the other side, mercantile ships, eagles and laurel reference the bank’s global reach. The medal embodies the visual codes of early 20th-century capitalism, aligning financial success with enduring cultural values. To fully understand this medal, we can consult corporate archives, financial reports, and period publications, which can provide insights into the bank's activities and its role in shaping economic and social landscapes.