Sluiting van het drievoudige verbond tussen Engeland, Frankrijk en de Republiek 1596

This medal, now at the Rijksmuseum, was made by an anonymous artist using a die-striking process. That is, the image you see was incised in reverse onto a metal die, which was then hammered onto the copper to leave its impression. This act of repetitive force is relevant to the medal’s message. It commemorates the dissolution of an alliance between England, France and the Dutch Republic. On one side, the three nations shake hands over an altar, while on the other, a figure destroys a column, representative of collapsing power. Coins and medals like this one offer a fascinating window into the economic and social history of their time. Think about it: this small object, made with a great deal of force, was meant to change minds, commemorate an event, and solidify a particular version of history. It makes you wonder, doesn’t it, who made it, who commissioned it, and whose stories never made it onto a medal at all.