Carolina, prinses van Oranje-Nassau, penning haar aangeboden door het kwartier der Friese steden 1765

This silver medal, designed by Johan George Holtzhey, commemorates Princess Carolina of Orange-Nassau. Medals like this one played a crucial role in 18th-century Dutch society, acting as both currency and powerful symbols of status, allegiance, and remembrance. The medal's design uses visual codes to convey Carolina's high status and connections. On one side, we see her portrait, rendered in profile like a Roman empress, emphasizing her nobility and power. The reverse features the coat of arms of Friesland's urban areas, connected by an ornate chain, symbolizing their bond to the House of Orange-Nassau. Crafted during the Dutch Republic, this medal reflects the complex relationship between the ruling House of Orange and the various regions and cities. Medals like this one were often commissioned by civic bodies, such as the "kwartier der Friese steden" mentioned in the title. Historical researchers consult archives, city records, and family papers to unpack the full meaning of commemorative objects like this one. The study of such objects allows us to understand the social and political forces that shaped the world of the Dutch Republic.