Verkiezing van Maurits, graaf van Nassau gekozen tot stadhouder van alle opstandige gewesten 1590

This small medal, "Verkiezing van Maurits, graaf van Nassau gekozen tot stadhouder van alle opstandige gewesten", was made anonymously. Created to commemorate a political event, the election of Maurits—or Maurice—of Nassau as stadtholder, the medal is a fascinating artifact of 16th-century Dutch history. At the time, the Dutch Republic was emerging from a period of revolt against Spanish rule. Maurice of Nassau was a key figure in the struggle for independence. The medal’s imagery encapsulates the complex issues of power, religion, and national identity. On one side we see a depiction of the "freedom hat," a symbol of liberty, atop a pillar, encircled by the arms of the Dutch provinces. The reverse illustrates clasped hands, symbolizing unity, surrounded by the inscription "Vigilate Deo confidentes," meaning "Be vigilant, trusting in God". The medal then is more than a historical record; it is a reminder of the ongoing negotiation of freedom, faith, and collective identity.