Vrede van Rijswijk, penning uitgedeeld aan ieder die in de loterij van Muiden geen prijs heeft gewonnen 1697

This is the "Peace of Rijswijk" medal, made by Jan Luder, distributed to those who didn't win a prize in the Muiden lottery. Minted in 1697, this medal serves as a relic of both celebration and disappointment in the Dutch Republic. The lottery, a social event open to all, embodied the era's spirit of chance and commerce. Yet, for every winner, there were many who left empty-handed, receiving this medal as a token of consolation. We must ask, what does it mean to commemorate loss, or, perhaps more pointedly, to commodify it? The medal itself, with its imagery of peace and fortune, presents a narrative of hope and reconciliation. But it also prompts reflection on the socio-economic disparities of the time. What was it like to participate in a lottery? It was a blend of anticipation and the acceptance of one's fate. This medal reminds us that history is not just about grand narratives of peace, but also the small stories of everyday people, their hopes, and their disappointments.