Overlijden van Leopold I en kroning van Jozef I tot Duits keizer 1705

This is a small silver medal, commemorating the death of Leopold I and the coronation of Joseph I as Holy Roman Emperor. It was made by an anonymous artist. Medals like these were typically made by a master craftsman, using a combination of skilled hand-work and the power of the press. The medal's images would have been painstakingly engraved into steel dies, which would then be used to strike the soft silver, producing a sharp, durable impression. This kind of craftsmanship was highly valued, offering a means for disseminating political messages in a durable, portable form. The material itself, silver, speaks to the power and wealth of the Habsburg dynasty. As a precious metal, it was a tangible representation of their authority. The medal is a reminder that even seemingly small objects can carry a great deal of historical and cultural weight. By looking closely at the materials and making of this medal, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex world of early modern Europe.