Kroning van George I tot koning van Engeland 1714

This small silver medal depicting the Coronation of George I of England was made by John Croker, a gem-engraver and medallist who worked at the Royal Mint. Minting coins and medals is a fascinating craft that has been around since antiquity, involving die-cutting and hammering techniques. Here, the dense, grey metal is a deliberate choice. Silver has been used as a symbol of wealth and status for millennia, reflecting the King’s power and control. Look closely, and you can see the incredible level of detail, achieved through skilled handwork. The production of medals like these had an inherent political dimension. It required not only technical mastery but also an understanding of iconography and the social dynamics of the era. The images and inscriptions were carefully chosen to convey a message of authority, designed to circulate among those in power. Considering how this medal was crafted and circulated helps us appreciate it not just as an object of art, but as a material witness to the history of labor, politics, and power.